Grace Alaniz Balles, age 87, of El Paso, Texas, formerly a long time resident of Midland, Texas, passed away at the Center of Compassionate Care West in El Paso on July 14, 2018.Grace was born on April 16, 1931 in Fort Stockton. Grace grew up in Midland.Grace married the love of her life, Tommy B. Balles, Jr. in 1951. The couple settled in Albuquerque after the military and later moving to Midland where they raised four children, Priscilla, Wanda, Anthony (deceased) and Ricky (deceased).In her early life, Grace was a radio announcer with KJBC. Grace spent more than 30 years as an educator in Midland and El Paso where she retired. She was a devoted and dedicated hard worker and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was loved by all. Grace was always very proud of her children and family. She loved when the family would get together. Any chance to spend time with her family was important to her. Grace would spend hours cooking and baking. Grace was known for her feisty, yet good sense of humor. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.Grace was the beloved wife of Tommy B. Balles, Jr; devoted mother of Priscilla B. Rodriguez and her husband Jesus Arizpe, Wanda B. Ramirez and her husband Ruben Ramirez, Sr., the late Anthony A. Balles and the late Ricky B. Balles; proud grandmother of Susan Urias, Jennifer Ramirez, Ruben Ramirez, Jr., Linda Ray, Rayna Larez, Anthony P. Balles, and Thomas R. Balles. Grace also had 8 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Grace is survived by her sisters Erminia Luna and Brenda Zapata, both of Midland, Texas.There will be a service at 7:00pm, Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Ruben Ramirez, Sr., Ruben Ramirez, Jr., George Arsiaga, Matthew Arsiaga, Jesse J. Madrid, Jr., Thomas Rodriguez and Johnny Vidal Jr.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
