Juanita Rivas Mendoza was peacefully called home by our Lord, on Sunday, April 7th, 2024, at the age of 72. Juanita was born in Stockdale Texas, on March 12th 1952, to Eduardo Rivas and Julia Cano.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, Eduardo and Julia Rivas; brothers, Raymond, Fred, and Juan Rivas; daughter, Maria Louise Tijerina; grandson, Eric Eduardo Martinez Jr; along with numerous friends.

Juanita is survived by her husband, Ramón Mendoza; children, Elizabeth and husband, Alex Guerra, Edward and wife, Annette Salazar, and Juanita and wife, Ilona Willis; grandchildren, Mercedes Mendoza, Daniel Rocha, Autumn Guerra, Isaiya Rocha, Alissa Nakole Rocha, Alejandro Guerra Jr., and Samiaha Tijerina; great-grandchildren, Zachariah Rocha, Navaiya Rocha, and Nova Rocha; as well as many nieces, nephews, and many more non-biological children and grandchildren she loved as her very own.

From a young age, Juanita was a hardworking woman who embraced working in various fields, from farming, nannying, and being a nursing home assistant, to becoming the amazing cook she was widely known as. She loved the lighter things in life, like working in her yard, planting flowers, listening to country western and Tejano music, and even just cracking jokes. Above all, Juanita loved her family and those she considered to be family, unconditionally. Her unwavering commitment to providing for the wants, needs, and everything in between for those she loved was evident to everyone around her.

Juanita was a woman whose smile and laughter filled up a room, radiating such energy, you couldn't help but smile and laugh when you were around her. She didn't know a stranger, to know Juanita, was to know you always had a place to stay, home-cooked meals to eat, or words of wisdom and advice always ready for you. Juanita had insightful views on life and even a brief conversation with her was enough to leave you enlightened and reassured.

Juanita will be missed beyond measure but surely never forgotten. As she always reminded her children, "Tomorrow is never promised." They will continue to live in her honor for years to come.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024, in the Hurley Funeral Home chapel, starting with a visitation from 9:00 am until 10:30 am, a reciting of the rosary at 10:30 am, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 am.  Burial will be at Pleasanton City Cemetery.