Petra Baca

Petra “The Rock” Miranda Baca, 95, of Odessa, passed away on May 11th, 2021 in Odessa, Texas.

Visitation will be held at Martinez Funeral Home on Thursday, May 13th, from 1pm- 9pm, and Friday May 14th, from 9am-9pm. A Rosary will be held at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, May 14th, at 7pm.

Funeral services will be held at 9am Saturday, May 15th, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Frank Chavez of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church officiating.

Burial will follow at Peaceful Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Martinez Funeral Home.

Petra was born in Lajitas, Texas to Juan Suarez Miranda and Felicitas Alvarado Miranda on February 23rd, 1926. Petra married Guillermo (Baquita) Baca in Alpine, Texas. Guillermo and Petra were married decades, and raised a beautiful family of 8 children. Despite her rural up-bringing, and fourth-grade education as an honor roll student, our mom and Buela had a long, fulfilling career. Her first jobs began with neighborhood tax preparer, English translator and ironing at home, she then proceeded to work in a laundry, as a housekeeper for a prominent Odessa family for many years, at Texas Instruments, Medical Center cafeteria, as an Avon Consultant and Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) cafeteria worker. At 63 years old, Buela transitioned to a part-time position at the Southside Senior Citizens Center cafeteria where she had a career spanning 20 years until she was “Laid Off” (she did not quit) at the age of 83. Yes, 83!! Buela was a talented individual and enjoyed many hobbies including, but not limited to, ceramics, macrame, crocheting and quilting. She excelled at quilting and made a number of 100% hand-made quilts for her family. Buela enjoyed playing Phase 10 and Skipbo with family and friends at the Southside Senior Citizen Center, and was very competitive, a hands-down worthy opponent. Buela was the matriarch of her family and taught her family to always put God first. She was very well known and made a huge impact in her community through her many volunteer activities. Buela was featured numerous times in the Odessa American paper and on the local news for her community involvement and social activities. But, to her family she was “Buela”.

Petra is preceded in death by her husband, Guillermo (Baquita) Baca, daughters, Sylvia (The First) and Sara Baca, son, Roy Baca, grandson, Jorge Baca, great grand-daughter, Valerie Campos, son-in-law’s, Raul Guerrero and Raul Galindo Sr, daughter-in-law, Elva Baca, sisters, Albina Portillo, Concha Sanchez and Rita Munoz and brothers, Hilberto and Juanito Miranda.

Petra Baca is survived by her sister, Margarita Munoz, daughters, Sylvia Campos (Arturo) Alicia Guerrero (+Raul), Isabelle Moreno (Wilson), sons, Ector Baca (Lorine) and Eric (Nydia) Baca, 28 grandchildren and numerous great grand-children.

Pallbearers: Arturo Campos, Emiliano Guerrero, Isaac Baca, Israel Baca Jr., Ector Baca Jr., Rudy Galindo, Donte Martinez and Kelby Baca (Honorary).

The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Ramanathan, Dr. Angriekula, the nurses and therapists from St. Joseph’s Home Health and Star Hospice. Also, a most sincere thanks to everyone who provided meals, care, visitation and hospitality to Buela and our family.