Juanita S. Pedraza

On Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025, Juanita Pedraza passed away peacefully from natural causes at her home in San Benito, Texas, surrounded by her children. She was 94. Juanita was born on December 4, 1930, in the quiet outskirts of San Benito to Isidro and Juanita Sanchez. She was the youngest of ten children. When Juanita was 21 years old, she attended a local dance, where a beautiful young woman met a handsome young man named José Pedraza. They married on March 11, 1951. Although José passed away on April 20, 1989, from that union, Juanita gave birth to nine spirited children: Dora, George (wife Candy), Luis (wife Karen), Ricardo, Arnold, Lydia, Eddie, Rosie (husband Dana), and Sylvia (husband Byram). Juanita and José have 19 grandchildren and an additional eight through marriage, most of whom live in Texas, with some in Colorado, Washington, and North Carolina. Currently, Juanita and José have 13 precious great-grandchildren, and that number is sure to grow.

Juanita lived a simple life. She was hard-working and devoted to her children, sacrificially caring for them as best she could. She carried her children in her heart with as much love as any mother could have. She thoroughly enjoyed being outside with her plants, which she could never have too many. Juanita cherished visiting with family and friends, and she liked hamburgers. She had a great sense of humor and was always laughing. One Thanksgiving, she engaged in a snowball fight with three of her grandchildren on Mount Hood in Oregon. Amid playful laughter and screams, she scooped up snow in her hands and threw snowballs at her grandchildren while they sprayed her with snowballs as well. It was the only time in her life that she ever played in the snow on top of a mountain. She was 70 years old at the time.

In 1972, she began a journey of walking with God and developing a faith in Him that she would cling to for all her days. Reading her Bible, spending long hours in prayer, and attending church became her passions and a natural way of life. Throughout her lifetime, she visited and attended many churches. Faith Pleases God Church was the last church of which she was a member. Her friend and sister in Christ, Adela, would faithfully pick her up every Sunday. They looked adorable as they often held hands and walked up for prayer. Juanita and José were separated after 38 years of marriage, but they reunited on Resurrection Sunday, April 20, 2025. The very calendar day that took her husband from her is the same day that restored her back to him. On José’s birthday, May 5, Juanita will be laid to rest and buried just above him in the same grave at Mont Meta Memorial Park. A a beautiful young woman returned to a handsome young man, together forever, but this is not the end of the story. With a combination of grandchildren and great-grandchildren totaling 40, each discovering their own journey, and each with their own story, they will carry on the legacy of Mama Nina and Grandpa Joe. The best is yet to come. Juanita often prayed for them, that they would walk with God, enjoy life, and make this world a better place.

Juanita was deeply loved, and she will be greatly missed.

"Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold."  Psalm 68:13

A special thanks to all of Mom’s caregivers. You were like angels to her. Each caregiver was a blessing, and the entire Pedraza family will forever be grateful for the love and care she received from you strong and precious ladies. Mount Sinai Hospice was steadfast and gracious in guiding our family through the journey of caring for our mother and provided much- needed help. Thank you, and may God bless you all.

Juanita’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A service celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. A graveside service is set for Monday, May 5, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park.