Juliann Grace Magdalena

Juliann Grace Magdalena peacefully entered into the presence of her Savior shortly before midnight on September 19, 2026. After 96 years of faithful living, loving, teaching, serving, and praying, she is now resting in the eternal peace she found in Him.

Born February 21, 1930, in Kyle, Texas, Juliann was the youngest of five children. At an early age, she learned to play the piano, beginning a lifelong love of music. That love continued to grow and led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, which she received in 1952 from Southwest Texas State Teachers College, known today as Texas State University. Her education prepared her for a lifetime of teaching and sharing the gift of music with others.

To those who knew and loved her best, she was “Meme”—a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family fiercely and faithfully carried them in her prayers. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she shared her love for her Savior through music, teaching, service, and prayer.

For nearly 40 years, Juliann dedicated herself to teaching third grade at Santa Rosa ISD, where she also taught music. She loved her students deeply, caring for them not only as an educator, but as someone who truly believed in their potential. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on many of the students she taught.

Music and faith remained important parts of Juliann’s life. For many years, she served as music director at First Baptist Church in Santa Rosa. In her later years, she became a member of Faith Christian Church in Harlingen, where she joyfully sang in the choir. At age 91, while attending the 100th anniversary celebration of First Baptist Church in Santa Rosa, she was invited to play the piano one last time during worship.

Her family remembers not only the gifts she shared with others, but also the simple things that made her special: her love of jewelry, makeup, and shoes; her cooking; talking on the phone; and family reunions filled with food, stories, and laughter. They remember her delicious chicken and dumplings, chocolate pie, and coffee cake. Most of all, they remember her hands—the hands that played the piano, taught piano lessons, scratched backs, prepared meals, turned the pages of music, and folded in prayer.

She is survived by her children, Pamela Rickard of Boerne and Gordon (Becky) Magdalena of Harlingen; her grandchildren, Melissa (Derek) Darst of College Station, Jason (Erin) Magdalena of Austin, and Lauren (Kendall) Sizemore of Edmond, Oklahoma; and her great-grandchildren, Dylan, Maren, and Hayden Darst, Anderson Magdalena, and Sawyer, Emmy, and Liam Sizemore. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Magdalena; her parents, Henry and Annie Schmeltekopf; and her siblings, Lawrence and Calvin Schmeltekopf, Dorine Losh, and Florine Welch.

Meme leaves a lasting legacy of faith, family, music, prayer, and love. Her stories will be told, her recipes will continue to live on, her music will be remembered, and her love will continue through the generations she cherished.

The hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” feels especially fitting for Meme. After a lifetime of sharing her faith through music, she has entered the presence of her Savior, where her earthly song has given way to eternal praise.

She is home with the Lord she loved and served. And because of the hope she placed in Him, her family can say with confidence:

It is well with her soul.

Juliann’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Lisa and Kenny Salazar, Elvia Livingston, Olga Gutierrez, Lupita Cortez, and Dora Gonzalez for the love, compassion, and unwavering support they have shown our family. Your presence and thoughtfulness have brought comfort and strength during this time of remembrance.

The Magdalena family will receive friends and family on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. (The memorial service will be livestreamed: https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/RUVW6H)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Christian Church in Harlingen, Texas, or to the charity of your choice in Juliann’s memory.