Juanita Gaona

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3
Juanita Jasso Gaona was welcomed into her heavenly home on January 14, 2018. Affectionately called "Janie" by her siblings and "Mimi" by her grandchildren, Juanita lived life to the fullest and always showed a deep love for God, her family, and her friends.
Born in Austwell, Texas on May 27, 1934, Juanita was the sixth of eight children. She grew up in South Texas travelling with her family who were migrant workers. As a child, Juanita attended school until the eighth grade, when she began working to help support the family. On July 21, 1957, Juanita married Jeronimo Gaona whom she was married to for 47 years and built a life and home with in Roby, Texas. Juanita is the beloved mother of four children: Richard, David, Sylvia, and Susan.
As an adult, Juanita recognized the importance of education and was determined to obtain her General Education Diploma (GED), while children were still in school. For many years, she graciously gave her time as an election poll volunteer and did not miss casting her ballot during a presidential election until 2016. Juanita was a devoted Catholic and member of the congregation at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rotan, Texas. Serving was important to Juanita and she volunteered for many church and community activities.
Juanita dedicated her life to her husband, children, and grandchildren and spent her life caring for and serving others before herself. Juanita showed her love for those around her through food and was famous for making the world's best homemade tortillas, tamales, and mashed potatoes. There was always music in Juanita's heart and she absolutely loved to dance.
All those who knew and loved her will forever miss her presence in their lives.
Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Pedro and Carlota San Miguel Jasso, her siblings, Adela Perez, Amado Jasso, Augustin Jasso, Joe Jasso, and Dora Guerrero, and her husband, Jeronimo Gaona.
Juanita is survived by her son Richard (Judy) Gaona, son David Gaona, daughter Sylvia (Danny) Engle, daughter Susan Garcia, sister Lydia (Juan) Vasquez and Mary (Felipe) Barerra, Sister-in-law's Ramona Jasso and Bertha Jasso, grandchildren Sonya Gaona, Matthew Gaona, Heath (Leticia) Taylor, Misty (Clay) Taylor Searsy, Mandy Lumus, Trista Guillory, Christina Thompson, and Jorge Gaona, great grandchildren Lilly, Maddy and Benjamin Searsy, Caleb and Gabby Taylor, Jamie & Daniel Guillory, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rotan, at 2:00 pm. Burial to follow at the Roby Cemetery. A visitation will be on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at the Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home in Rotan from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Roby cemetery or to your favorite charity.

Visitation

Weathersbee Ray Funeral Home
111 N. McKinley
Rotan, TX  79546
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
6:00 to 7:00 pm

Rosary

Weathersbee Ray Funeral Home
111 N. McKinley
Rotan, TX  79546
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
7:00 to 8:00 pm

Service

St. Josephs Catholic Church
Rotan, TX  79546
Thursday, January 18, 2018
2:00 pm

Cemetery

Roby Cemetery
Roby, TX  79543