Juanita Leal Miniel, age 88, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Juanita was born November 17, 1936, in Goliad, Texas. She is preceded in death by her father, Felipe E. Chavarea Miniel; her mother, Cruz Leal Miniel; her brothers and sisters, Felipe, Abundio, Elias, Pedro, Larry, Isaac, Virginia, Lucinda, Vera; her two children, Beatrice Garcia (Juan) and Felipe Valentino Mata; her son-in-law, Wallace Corpus Barela II; her grandchild, Juan Manuel Garcia; and her great-grandchild, Paul Carlos Falzon. She is survived by her sister, Cruz Acosta and brother, Daniel Miniel; her children Gloria Barela, Domingo Mata Jr., and Rosalinda Martinez, 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren whom will forever cherish all the loving memories they made with Gram.

Juanita was the matriarch of our large, beautiful family- an incredible warrior whose loving loyalty shone through every challenge she faced. She never backed down when her loved ones needed her the most. In her younger days, she adored the ocean; you can often find her fishing or crabbing out in the water. Her love for music was infectious – whenever she heard a beat, she'd get up and dance the night away.

There was nothing she couldn't do. She was a woman of many trades – Tackling DIY Projects around the house, crafting her own jewelry, and sewing her own clothes. She was famous for her ability to cook amazing tortillas and even making "bread in a can" (yes, it was actually edible and tasted really good). Juanita was all about Family. She was a devoted prayer warrior, faithfully lifting her family into God's Hands. Her unwavering love shaped us all, teaching us to care deeply for one another and place family at the center of our hearts. And last of all, she wanted everyone to know her iconic saying "I love everrrybody, I love everrrybody, I LOVE EVERRRYBODY"

Juanita is also survived by her grandchildren, Wallace Barela III (Anna), Brandon Chao, Conception Salazar (Steven), Adrian Barela (Jenny), Rosa Delia Garcia (Oscar), Lucia Garcia (Roberto), Bryan Mata, and Isabel Mata; her great grandchildren, Christina Paige, Stephen DeNiro Salazar (Tyler), Amanda Danielle Salazar (Courtney), Joseph Elias Salazar, Adrian Barela Jr., Raymond Harold Barela, Philip Barela, Michael Barela, Tranquelino Garcia, Alejandra Garcia, Maximilano Garcia, Adam Valentino Gonzalez, Sean Philip Falzon II, and Izabel Skai Falzon.

The service will be held on July 1, 2025 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home from 4pm – 8pm.