Anabela Dominguez Gutierrez ofFortStockton,Texas,passed away on Wednesday, October 9, after a short illness at Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland, Texas, surrounded by her family.

Anabela was born to J. R. “Cuti” and Oralia “Laya” Dominguez on May 13, 1947, in Fort Stockton, Texas. Anabela attended Fort Stockton public schools and graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 1966. After graduation, Anabela attended Cosmetology School in Snyder, Texas, where she received her Cosmetology License. She began working as a hairdresser at Patricia’s Beauty Salon, initially owned by Pat Gray and eventually bought the business from MargaretAlexander.Anabelahad several hairdressers working with her at her salon including Elviria (Rios) Feyry who, in turn, bought the business from Anabela. After working for about twenty years as a hairdresser, she retired to become, what she laughingly called herself, a “Domestic Engineer”.

Anabela was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and served as a CCE teacher and as President of the Parish Council forfiveyears.Shealsoparticipated withthechurchchoirunderSister Jean and Sister Felice.

Anabela was an exceptional cook and baker. Anabela made wedding cakes, birthday cakes andspecialoccasioncakesforher nieces and nephews and extended family. Anabela carried on the family recipes she learned from her grandmother Refugia (Cuca) Dominguez, where measurements were a pinch of this and a handful (pundado) of that. She enjoyed making tamales, pipian, asado, biscochos, empanadas and many other family recipes and most enjoyed sharing the finished products with her family and friends.

Anabela worked as a flower arranger for a short time for Liza Villareal at Flowers Etc., where she learned the tricks of the trade. After leaving Flowers Etc., Anabela continued her craft by making flower arrangements for family’s cemeteryheadstonesforAllSouls Day.

Anabela loved her family unconditionally and they meant the world to her. There is nothing she wouldnotdoforthematanytime in their lives. Anabela cherished her friendships, old and new. In fact, they were not only friends, butextendedfamily.Sheespecially loved watching the Snapchat videos her nieces and nephews posted of their kids which often put a smile on her face and often made her laugh. Anabela will be missed enormously by her family and friends.

Anabela was preceded in death by her parents, J.R. “Cuti” and Oralia Dominguez, fraternal grandparents, Manuel and Refugia (Cuca) Dominguez, maternal grandparents, Felix Porras and Cruz Franco, brothers Adan (JackorDonnie)Dominguezand ArmandoDominguez,sistersAurora Dominguez,AureliaDominguez andMariaCruzPalaciosand manyauntsandunclesandcherished familymembers.

Anabela is survived by her husband of 55+ years, Abel Gutierrez, who were married on November 28, 1969, daughter, TraciM.GutierrezofRoundRock, brother,AlfredoDominguez(wife Juanita) of Fort Stockton, sisters Alma Acosta (husband Ruben) ofMcCamey,AdelinaBaiza(husband Randy) of Midland, and Arcilia Fuller (husband Nathan) of Denton and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Anabela’s Family would like to thank the staff at Midland Memorial Hospital and Midland Medical Lodge for their care of Anabela during her stays at both facilities. The Family would also like to give our heartfelt thanks to all those who continued to send theirthoughtsandprayersduring herillness.TheFamilywouldalso like to thank the staff at Willowbrook Funeral Home of Midland and to Nancy Olvera at Eternity FuneralHomeofFortStockton.A special thanks to Randy and Lina Baiza for their unwavering support and help given to Anabela during her stay in Midland.

In complying with Anabela’s wishes, she will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

InlieuofFlowers,pleasemake donations to the charity of your choiceinAnabela’sname.