Candace Nicole Flores

Candace Nicole Flores (Deanda) of Merkel, Texas, entered the arms of Jesus on March 28,
2026, after a long battle with cancer.
Candace was born in Dallas, Texas, to Robert and Barbara Deanda on September 22, 1982. Candace was a loving older sister to Christina Deanda. Candace was a proud mother to Tristan, born in 1998. Tristan was the joy of Candace’s life, and she excelled in raising a phenomenal young man. Candace married the love of her life, Noe Flores, on October 19, 2013, in Merkel, Texas at the Grace Point Church. Candace felt privileged to become a bonus Mom to daughters, Sierra and Gracie. Most recently, Candace shared her immense pride in becoming “Boo” to grandsons, Jaylon and Noah. Candace was a proud aunt to Atiyanna, Chloe, Sailor, Alexis, Kamryn, Jayton, Brytton, Karley, Cayden, Alexia, Des’ree, Anthony, Clarissa, Angelina, and Teryn.
Candace lived much of her early life in Arlington, Texas, Kinston, North Carolina and then in Brownwood, Texas and graduated in 2001 from Brownwood High School. Following school, Candace lived for several years in Grand Prairie, Texas, before relocating to Merkel, Texas. Candace worked as a paralegal for many years in Abilene, Texas, and took pride in being able to help others navigate their stressful situations. But Candace long dreamed of being a nurse. Since she was a teen, she contemplated nursing school. Her friends and family were in awe of her when she graduated from Cisco College in May 2024, with her LVN, all while battling ovarian cancer. Her dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance paid off, she was a nurse! A lifelong dream. The impact that this accomplishment had on her family and friends is immeasurable. Candace was a fighter through and through. Candace most recently worked at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Abilene, Texas, and was regarded for her amazing work ethic and the care she showed to others.
Candace loved the holidays and loved decorating her house for each one, especially Halloween. She loved scary movies. She was known for her special Thanksgiving meal and taking the kids annually to the Christmas parade in town. Candace was admired for her love of music and her uncanny ability to remember song lyrics. Her and Noe loved going to concerts, Nascar races, and trying new BBQ joints. Candace never missed events with the kids, a proud parent, seen around school cheering on the students.
Candace was recognized in her community and beyond as a fierce advocate for animals, participating in her own rescues and helping with donations and recognition for animal rescue groups. Candace had a dream of having land to have a dog sanctuary. Candace took time to encourage others to get early cancer screenings, and she was an advocate for Ovarian
Cancer Research. Candace was known for making others feel seen. She did this with her ability to share a smile, lend a hand, and make others feel warm, loved, accepted, and encouraged. Countless friends and family credit her with offering them a favor, a gesture, a funny joke, all things they recall and carry with them. Candace’s reputation preceded her; she was truly a bright light and a force to be admired. The world feels a little darker without her in it.
It brings comfort to know that Candace knew the Lord, and she knew she was bound for Heaven. Candace was proud of her love for Jesus. Candace attended Calvary Baptist Church in her childhood. Candace received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in her twenties. If you knew Candace, you felt the love of God, as she radiated with something greater, a glow that only comes from Christ in you.
Candace is preceded in death by her grandparents, Hubert Francis and Phyllis Boling, Uncle Chad Boling, grandparents, Richard and Marie Deanda, Uncle Richard Deanda, Uncle John Lopez, and cousins, Tommy Ynostrosa and Sandy Villalovos. Candace is most recently preceded by her mother, Barbara Deanda, of whom Candace cared for her during the end of Barbara’s life. Also, Candace shared her excitement to see her best dog friends in Heaven, Pepper, Hunter, Freckles, and Bitty.
Candace is survived by her loving husband, Noe, who stood by her side during her cancer struggles. Noe held her hand, sat with her for endless days, and truly lived out his vows to care for his wife. Noe shares that Candace was his “best friend, the best wife you could have, and his ride or die, Bad Boys for Life, partner”, Candace is survived by her son, Tristan, who she loved with all her heart. Tristan shares admiring how his mother was “the kind of woman that was either a Mom or Sister to whoever walked through her door, a walking angel”. Candace is survived by daughters, Sierra and Gracie, and precious grandson’s Jaylon and Noah. Gracie recalls that Candace was a best friend and role model that she could always talk to without judgement, just love and understanding. Sierra recalls that Candace made her feel special with delightful gifts and taught her life lessons of encouragement and tough love that she is only now beginning to comprehend. Candace is also survived by her father, Robert Deanda, and sister, Christina Deanda. Her father recalls that she was always a Daddy’s girl and there was not a person or animal she was not willing to help. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews who remember her kindness and support. Candace is survived by her many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, who share how greatly “Peanut” will be missed. Additionally, Candace leaves behind Mia, her sweet pup.
Candace will be laid to rest with a graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas, on Saturday, April 04, 2026, at 10:00 am. Services are under the direction of Starbuck
Funeral Home.
The family of Candace would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful care given to Candace during her last days at Hendrick Hospice Care. Also, the family thanks the staff at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and locally, Celeste, at Tye Family Care, who always took such good care of Candace.
Candace was humble and gracious, never wanting to be a bother, but she always felt so grateful for any help she and Noe received on this journey. As we look forward, if you feel drawn to donate to any causes in her memory, please consider a donation to your favorite animal rescue or to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.

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