Connie Jean Alaniz

Connie Jean Harris Alaniz, 63, of Pasadena Texas, joined our loving Creator at 11:16AM, Friday, February 8, 2019, after a long and courageous battle. She was born May 25, 1955, in Bucyrus, Ohio, to Gerald Denver and Josephine Lucille. She married Ray T. Alaniz on July 12, 1986, and he survives.

Also, surviving are her two daughters, Wendy (Jesse) Martinez of Houston, and Shannon Sargent of Pasadena; her two step-sons, Daniel Alaniz, of Houston and Michael Alaniz of Houston; grandchildren, Tia Gibson, Michael Gibson, Madisen Martinez, Nathan Martinez and Reashanna Jones; one sister Kathy Harris of Needville; niece and nephew, Jennifer Lewman and Gene Ray Lewman.

Connie’s father preceded her in death.

Connie was a long time resident of Pasadena where she lived and worked since the early 1980’s. She grew up in Bucyrus, Ohio. She came to Texas in 1976 and became a lifelong Texan. She enjoyed returning “home” often to see her mother and extended family. For most of her life she worked as a waitress. She loved her job and loved her customers almost as much as she loved her family. If Connie served you, you never wanted another.

She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She had a passion for gemology that she loved to share with her granddaughters. Connie loved collecting various things over the years starting with her blown glass collection, then Chevron cars and finally wind chimes. She loved anything to do with Vegas, (slots were her favorite) and would light up over a winning scratch off ticket. She spent a lot of her time reading her favorite true crime author Ann Rule.

To her family and friends, Connie was a special woman. Kind, caring and always stepped up to help others. She was a strong, fierce, complicated, and stubborn (the Harris way), tell you like it is woman. Her most famous saying to all of the kids “you don’t have to like me or love me, but you will respect me” sticks with all of us to this day. Truthfully, we all love and respect her so she succeeded in both.

She will forever be known to us as Wife, Mom, Grandma, and GiGi. We would have her no other way.

The visitation is from 5:00PM until 9:00 PM on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at the Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX 77023. A final farewell viewing will be held from 9:00AM until 10:15AM with the funeral service to follow at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 14, 2019, also at the Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. The burial will be held at the Houston National Cemetery.