Carmen Patrice O'Brien (Pompa) was born on February 20, 1948, in Commerce, Texas, to Carman Pompa and Micaela Luna. A lifelong Texan and devoted Methodist Christian, Carmen lived her 77 years with strength, stubborn determination, and a deep love for her family. She married young, and though she was widowed early when her husband passed away during his military service, she carried his memory with her always. Later in life, she found lasting companionship with Raul Rojas, her husband of more than forty years, with whom she shared a quiet and steady love.

A homemaker by nature, Carmen took pride in caring for her home. She had five children — Cammy, Carlos, Julia, Michael, and Nicholas — and was blessed with sixteen grandchildren and an ever-growing number of great-grandchildren. Strong-willed, hard-headed, and honest to a fault, Carmen didn't mince words or put up with nonsense, but those who knew her best understood that her firmness came from love. She could be strict, but she was also giving — she loved to cook, to thrift, to drive around town, and to donate to those in need.

In her later years, Carmen faced health challenges, including Alzheimer's and diabetes, but even as her memory faded, her spirit and presence remained deeply felt. She was cared for by her loved ones, and grandchildren who loved her as a mother — a reflection of the many lives she touched and shaped with her unique blend of strength and care. Though imperfect, as we all are, Carmen's life was full: full of family, resilience, and the enduring love of those who called her "Nana."