Obituary of Maria Dakota Teresa Alanis-Carlton

Maria Dakota Teresa Alanis-Carlton of Fort Worth, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center—Fort Worth. She was 26.

Mass of Christian Burial: 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, St. Andrew Catholic Church, 3312 Dryden Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109.

Visitation: A visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginnig at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Chapel, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76114.

Interment: Hawkins Cemetery, 5301 N Hwy 287 Access, Arlington, TX 76017

Maria was born on Sunday, September 28, 1997 in Cleburne, Texas. She inherited her family’s love of music and the arts, growing up with a love for dancing, playing the flute, painting, crafts, and woodworking. She was especially known for her astonishing vocal ability, and whether at school, church, community gatherings, or even home karaoke, Maria had the extraordinary gift to move audiences with a voice that was both angelic and powerful. And, when she was feeling playful, joyously loud, especially when the spirit of 80s and 90s pop music moved her.

In her youth, Maria possessed an energy for constant movement, be it dance or running track. True to her Texas roots, Maria enthusiastically commandeered anything with a steering wheel: lawnmowers, trucks, boats, and really any means of aquatic or terrestrial locomotion (had she a pilot’s license, she’d no doubt fly 747s and space shuttles). She lived to laugh and inspire laughter, and her silliness was often in the pursuit of healing as she had the uncanny ability to defuse situations with her sense of humor. Many of her childhood quirks endured well into adulthood, such as her habit of wearing mismatched novelty socks, or her predilection for wearing fanny packs from which she seemed to miraculously produce whatever object you needed. (Forget your phone charger? Maria had you covered. Need lip balm? She’d likely have three different varieties on offer.)

A loving and supportive protector of her younger brothers, Maria always prioritized the well-being of her family, friends, and anyone she saw in need of help. In adulthood, while juggling work and school, Maria opened her home and heart to temporarily foster two babies for a friend in need. While studying and working full-time as an administrator at several colleges and universities, Maria remained a dedicated volunteer at homeless shelters in the area, and was a passionate advocate who worked on behalf of homeless children and survivors of domestic abuse. Her plans were to continue working with the homeless at women’s shelters, putting her years of study and her lifetime of compassion in the service of the most marginalized members of society. Her love and care for children were the foundation of who she was, and one of her greatest joys in her final weeks was to play with her dear nephew and hold her beloved newborn niece.

Maria was life, and the fullness of that life extended to her love and respect for those whom she had lost. Every November 2nd, she would honor family and friends who had passed. Though she never lost her sense of humor, or her mismatched socks, she nonetheless faced mortality with a degree of maturity and poise indicative of someone who had known lifetimes of loss. Her compassionate wisdom, born of sorrow, acceptance, and an undying love of family, was a gift to all who knew her.

On December 8, 2020, Maria was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Prior to her diagnosis, Maria was pursuing a degree in Mental Health and Human Services—she was just one semester shy of graduation. In her twenty-six years, Maria lived, struggled, and survived many lifetimes’ worth of challenges. She gave, lovingly and unconditionally, even when it seemed like her world mostly took. She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, aunt, cousin, colleague, and friend. She was a strong, inquisitive, and independent woman. May her memory forever be a blessing for us, and may we always be inspired by her life. 

She is survived by: her parents, Jerry Carlton Jr. and Lucy Carlton; her brothers, Dalton Carlton and Matthew Carlton; her grandparents, Jerry Carlton Sr. and Linda Carlton; and San Juana Alanis; nine uncles and aunts; ten cousins; and one niece and one nephew. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Severo Alanis.