Juanita V. Gonzales, 83 years old, was called home to the kingdom of Heaven by our savior Jesus Christ Thursday, December 31, 2009.

She was born June 24, 1926, in Raymondville, TX to Higninio, Sr. and Tiburcia Lopez Villarreal. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

A rosary was recited Friday, 7 p.m., January 1, at Duddlesten Chapel.

Funeral mass was celebrated Saturday, January 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial followed at the Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She always put her family before her own needs.

She is survived by her children, Gloria G. (Wence) Rodriguez, Oscar (Molly) Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales, Jr., Melba G. Rodriguez and Velma G. (Joe) Lopez; seven grandchildren, Nora G. Rodriguez, Ingrid M. Rodriguez, Juanita C. Rodriguez, Anissa M. Rodriguez, O.J. Gonzales, Jennifer Gonzales, Jessica Gonzales, and one great grandson, Jake Daniel Gonzales; one sister, Manuela V. Chavez and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel C. Gonzales, her parents, Higinio, Sr. and Tiburcia Villarreal; four sisters, Concepcion Zamarripa, Hortencia Ybarra, Beatriz Garcia and Trinidad Martinez; and two brothers, Higinio Villarreal, Jr. and Marcial Villarreal.

Pallbearers were her nephews, Lupe Zamarripa, Servando Garcia, Esteban Villarreal, David Villarreal, Adan Chavez and Oscar Chavez.

The family would like to give special thanks to her caregiver Zoraida Molina for her loving care.

Special thanks to Dr. Luis Reynoso, MD, the 5th South Tower nurse aides and Odessy Hospice for their attentive care.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Duddlesten Funeral Home.

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