Eli Sanchez

In Memory of Eli Sanchez Eli (Eddie) Sanchez, 79, of St. Petersburg, Florida, went home to his final resting place with the Lord on Friday, May 13, 2022. On December 14, 1942, Eli was born to Minerva and Reverend Inez Sanchez in Lubbock, Texas. He was the fifth youngest of six brothers and six sisters. Eli attended Sinton High School in Texas before moving to Lubbock, where he met Martha Castro at the First Mexican Baptist Church. Martha and Eli married on December 14, 1962. Martha gave him two children whom he loved with all his heart, Melisa (Missy) Ruth of Eagan, Minnesota, and Efrem of St. Petersburg, Florida. His surviving siblings are Enriqueta Berlanga of Lubbock, Texas; Naomi May of Moab, Utah; Kay and Neftali (Lee) Sanchez of Crawford, Texas; and Minerva and Emmett Cardenas of Spring, Texas. Eli is survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha, his two children, Melisa (Ernesto) and Efrem (Michelle); Five Grandchildren, Nicholas Aaron Cooper (Ginger); Matthew James Cooper; Sarah Renata Olivia Cooper; Jeremy Eli Sanchez; and Olivia Marie Sanchez; His three Great-Grandchildren; Mireya Grace Allen; Ellie Valerie Cooper and Mabel Martha Cooper. Eli had many nieces, nephews, and cousins who were all loved. Eli’s greatest joy was his family, and he loved spending time playing games with his grandchildren, especially dominos and checkers. Eli retired as an Environmental Coordinator in Chicago, Illinois, with American Airlines in 2007. He and Martha moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2008. Eli had many occupations during his lifetime, but he lived his dream of driving cattle as a “Cowboy” at the Highlands Ranch in Littleton, Colorado, in the early 1970s (now Highlands Ranch, Colorado). Eli was an avid boxing and Dallas Cowboy fan. He loved tinkering with everything (cars, gardening, jewelry, bird feeders, and woodwork), making HOT sauce, and repairing things throughout his life. Eli was known for his love of the Lord, kindness, politeness, smiling face, an occasional wink, hugs and kisses, and doing for others, both known and unknown, unconditionally. Throughout the years, Eli served as an ordained Deacon in many Baptist churches, a Gideon, choir member, pantry volunteer, and youth counselor, and helped with prison ministry in Chicago, Illinois. Acknowledgments: Priscilla and Dr. Bob Sena, Dr. Gregorio and Anna Santos, Bonnie Root, Suncoast Hospice Silver Team, Beth, Delphine, Barron, Felicia, Mom’s Meals, Daunya Henry, Doug Harwell, Carol, Betty, Tariq and Brandi Shabazz, our next-door neighbors, Tom & Family and Jake & Mahina Thanks to all our Castro and Sanchez family members and friends for visits, calls, text messages, and gifts of love. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: First Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, Florida fbcstpete.org Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health suncoasthospice.org The Gideons International sendtheword.org A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at 2pm. 1900 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 Officiating Ministers: Dr. Bob Sena, Doug Harwell