Joanne Soliz French

Joanne was born in Alhambra, California on September 11, 1966 to Pedro Vasquez Soliz and Angelica Cavazos Soliz. Joanne grew up in Pasadena, Texas and moved to Houston, Texas as an adult. She loved spending time with her parents just talking and enjoying quality time together.

Joanne was married to Gary Lee Harris and together they raised their daughter Deena-Rae French (Jay Flores). While being a wife, mother and working security Joanne was able to earn her Associates Degree where she made a career in banking.

She worked for Bank of America from 1992-2009. One of her dreams was to work in downtown Houston and her dream came true when the bank promoted her to the downtown location and gave her a desk with a beautiful city view.

While working for the bank she was able to make several friends. Joanne enjoyed spending time with them while eating crawfish, traveling and having a few drinks.

Country music was something she absolutely loved. Loving country music was something she wanted to instill in Deena-Rae. Joanne and Gary made sure that Deena-Rae saw George Strait at least twice a year even if that meant traveling out of town. The 3 of them spent many days and nights attending country music festivals, concerts and rodeos.

A blessing came in 2009 when Deena-Rae and Jay blessed her with Ashton Carter (Froggy) Flores and she was now a grandmother. She hated the thought of being called Grandma and feeling old so she was called JoJo a name her nieces gave her. Due to unforeseen circumstances at the bank Joanne was able to assist with raising her Grandson. They spent many days watching Cailou, Toy Story and Barney. Due to her severe hearing loss Ashton grew up learning to be patient, nurturing and caring. Just like his JoJo they both have huge hearts and would give the shirt off their backs or the last dollar in their pockets to help someone.

Joanne also has one sister Kimberly Soliz Christy (Scott Winebrenner). The two of them had a unique relationship but they loved each other very much. Every time Joanne would see something pink at the store she would gift it to Kimberly and every time Kimberly would see something with a cute Froggy she would gift it to Joanne. Joanne has two nieces Suzanna (Missy) Castillo (Jason Castillo) and Charly (Beaver) Yzaguirre (Ernest Yzaguirre). Her two nieces gave her 3 more gifts which made her a Great Aunt to Isaiah Soliz Garcia, Yanira Marie Garcia and Aaliyah Angelica Yzaguirre.

Joanne has two doggies named Gilbert and Lady that she leaves behind. She loved her dogs more than anyone could understand. She loved cuddling up and watching tv with them. She could not go to a restaurant or family gathering without packing a to go bag for her babies and then rushing home to feed them.

Along with her immediate family Joanne leaves behind several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the French family.