Anabela Dominguez Gutierrez of Fort Stockton, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 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 Margaret Alexander. Anabela had 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 for five years. She also participated with the church choir under Sister Jean and Sister Felice.

Anabela was an exceptional cook and baker. Anabela made wedding cakes, birthday cakes and special occasion cakes for her 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 cemetery headstones for All Souls Day.

Anabela loved her family unconditionally and they meant the world to her. There is nothing she would not do for them at any time in their lives. Anabela cherished her friendships, old and new. In fact, they were not only friends, but extended family. She especially 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 (Jack or Donnie) Dominguez and Armando Dominguez, sisters Aurora Dominguez, Aurelia Dominguez and Maria Cruz Palacios and many aunts and uncles and cherished family members.

Anabela is survived by her husband of 55+ years, Abel Gutierrez, who were married on November 28, 1969, daughter, Traci M. Gutierrez of Round Rock, brother, Alfredo Dominguez (wife Juanita) of Fort Stockton, sisters Alma Acosta (husband Ruben) of McCamey, Adelina Baiza (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 staffs 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 their thoughts and prayers during her illness. The Family would also like to thank the staff at Willowbrook Funeral Home of Midland and to Nancy Olvera at Eternity Funeral Home of Fort Stockton. 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 on Friday, November 29th, 2024, at 10am at St. Agnes Our Lady of Guadalupe North Campus Parish Catholic Church with a Rosary to begin at 9:30 am. A burial will follow at Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of Flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice in Anabela's name.