Asenett was born April 19, 1949 to Jose B. and Hortencia (Hinojosa) Cantu in Corpus Christi, Texas. She met and married Dennis Portwood who was stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Base. They moved to Kansas City in 1969. Dennis and Asenett had two daughters, Juanita Michelle and Melissa Denise. For 48 years Asenett was employed in the cafeteria of North Kansas City Hospital where she made numerous friends through the years.
In addition to her parents, Asenett was preceded in death by her first husband, Dennis, and her second husband, Francis Eckhart; siblings, Manuel, Rosario (Chayo), Sylvia, Yolanda (Yogi), Rosalinda (Chela), and John Elvis.
Survivors include her daughters, Juanita M. Ballard and husband, Rodney, and Melissa Bardwell; 7 grandchildren, Kady, Kacy, Angel, Seth, Dallas, Kaylee, and Chance; and 7 great grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth Puckett and her husband, Phil; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A gathering to celebrate Asenett’s life will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday, October 13, 2024. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Kansas City Hospice, 9001 State Line Road, Suite 300, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, kchospice.org.
