Maria Juana Montemayor

Some people only walk this earth for a short time. Their departure reminds us that angels are watching over us. Last week, on July 6, 2022, Maria Juana Montemayor rejoined her heavenly family and gained her wings, after a 2 year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 68 years old.

She was born in General Teran, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on June 24, 1954 to Francisco & Maria Elena (Salazar) Rodriguez. She was retired from the teaching industry after 25+ years of service with Crockett Elementary, as a bilingual education teacher.

Maria was proud to be Mexican, she loved folklorico and children, which was a large part of why she chose to become a Mexican Folklore Dance teacher. Helping young people discover a passion for their heritage & the arts was her true joy in life, until her grandchildren came along. She was a compassionate spirit and always helped others in need.

Though Maria’s health was failing the last couple of years, few people knew the extent to which she struggled. Her joy for life and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 3 brothers Francisco, Juan and Arnoldo.

Maria is survived by her husband Juvenal, and their children: Yalitza, her husband Richard Cheatham; Juvenal, his wife Sylvia Bocanegra; Yaren, her husband Gerardo Zamarripa; Frida Daza; and grandchildren Jaythan Montemayor; Sebastian, Adan and Damian Zamarripa; Victoria and Henry Cheatham; her siblings: Alfonso Rodriguez, Artemio Rodriguez, and Maria Rosario Garcia; and nieces Rosa Isela Ramos and Veronica Garcia-Perez; and many more.

While Maria’s family grieves her loss, they are choosing to remember Maria in a way that honors her spirit. Her husband Juvenal and their family invite the community to join them in a Celebration of Life Ceremony. All are welcome. It will take place at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo on Navigation, Friday, July 22nd from 4 pm - 9 pm. Her family will be keeping her ashes.