The Lord called His servant Sandra Romero Narvaez home to her final peace, to be reunited with her beloved husband, Benjamin, her faithful brother, Jose, and her sister and childhood companion, Sonia.
This remarkable woman’s remarkable life took her from Brooklyn in New York City to Ridgeley and finally Purgitsville with her much-loved daughter, Regina Smoot.
Mrs. Narvaez’s early life was as dedicated to the world of entertainment as it later was to her husband and children. She grew up in a family that included George Romero, Ceasar Romero, and Raul Julia.
At the age of 16, she and her husband commenced a classic American love story. They met, fell in love at first sight, and held each other tight until his untimely passing in 2017.
Ben Narvaez was a session player in the New York City music scene in the 1970s and 80s. She was a Solid Gold dancer, but also enjoyed watching him back up acts such as Reuben Blades and Tito Puente. An eclectic group of friends, including Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan, found their way to the Narvaez’s door often.
Her journey took her to West Virginia, where she raised her family and then returned in the final years of her life. In Purgitsville, she was surrounded by the love of her family, human, canine, and feline alike.
Though she struggled mightily against the illnesses that sent her home to the Lord, the family hopes that all will consider the words 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
She is survived by a sister, Nancy Romero Grupinski; a brother Jimmy Romero; two daughters, Regina Smoot and Sandie Mongold; grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Lucas, Joseph, Emily, Jared, Dez Marie, Jessica, Mia, Alaina, and AJ; and a great-grandchild, Violet. She also loved completely and also considered as her own children or grandchildren close family friends, Amber Richardson, Melissa Mullenax, and Kaleb, Kaden, Kylie and Michael Hall.
She was preceded in departure by her husband, Benjamin; a son; Michael; a sister, Sonia; and a brother, Jose.
As Regina wants everyone to know, “Mommy was everybody’s Nana. Everybody called her Nana.”
She loved her family, loved teaching her family to cook (especially her family recipe rice and beans!), and also loved a good cigarette. Her family misses her, loves her dearly, but is content to see her finally at peace with her beloved husband.
