Samia Vanessa Ghazi

Samia Vanessa Ghazi (nee Valdez) entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, in San Antonio, TX, surrounded by her son and family at the age of 67.

She was lovingly nicknamed Pennie by her family. Pennie was born on December 22, 1953, in Pearsall, TX to Florencio Valdez, Sr. and Josefa Martinez Valdez. The youngest of nine, she was loved, doted on, and protected by her siblings. She was an accomplished Tennis player representing Pearsall High School, achieving Doubles State Champion her junior year and Singles State Finalist her senior year. She attended Shriner University on a tennis scholarship and later transferred to The University of Texas at Austin. Pennie spent 22 years as a professional administrative assistant in the technology industry in Austin.

Pennie had a calling to return home and help take care of her mother. After her passing, she began her second career following the footsteps of her father and brothers as a Truck Driver in various industries for 17 years. She spent the last 4 years supporting homeland security as a Resident Supervisor at Core Civic.

Pennie loved her dogs – Champ, Piper, Dodger, and Tyson - and enjoyed playing with them; they too will also greatly miss her. She believed in our Lord Jesus Christ and spent morning and evenings in prayer while also being an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. During her truck driving days, she spent her time on the road catching up with family and friends as well as staying up on current events and continued after she took herself off the road. On occasion, you might catch her trying to win big or just taking a road trip to explore.

She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, brothers Robert Valdez, Sr., Jose, and Juan Valdez; brother-in-law Guadalupe G. Benavides, Sr.; and nephews Florencio Valdez III, Bobby Valdez, Jr., and David Daniel Benavides. What a welcoming she had at the gates of heaven!

Pennie was loved by many and will be greatly missed by her son, Jalal “Jay” Ghazi, her sister Viola Montes, brother Buddy Aguilar, Sr. and wife Santos, brother Florencio Valdez, Jr., sister Mary Benavides, brother Mickey Valdez, Sr., and wife Rosa, and sister-in-law Sylvia Hernandez Valdez. She was a wonderful and supportive tia to numerous nieces, nephews, and greats.

Her nephews and niece will serve as pallbearers including Clarissa Arellano, Joe Albert Montes, Guadalupe Benavides, Jr., John Benavides, Christopher Valdez, Jarrett Valdez, Manny Arellano, and David Issac Benavides.

Visitation will be held from 2 PM- 8 PM on Monday, December 13, 2021, with a rosary at 6 PM at Hurley Funeral Home Pearsall, TX. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 10 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Pearsall with an interment to follow at Pearsall Cemetery.

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