Janie Valdez

Juanita Valdez was born on August 1, 1956 to Jose and Odulia Miranda Valdez. Juanita Valdez, who went by the nickname Janie, is our mother. It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that we confirm our beloved mother, Juanita Valdez, passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2025, in her home at 68 years old. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, whose warmth, humor, and wisdom touched everyone who knew her.

We are heartbroken that a dash must now follow the date our mother made it into this world with the date she left it. It is such a small and inept punctuation when I realize it is meant to represent everything that she lived and everything she became for the people who loved her during those two dates, and for the people she leaves behind who will continue to love her after.

Janie loved to scroll on Facebook and then call her daughters with the latest updates. She loved to drink several cups of coffee a day and also loved to go out to eat at her favorite restaurants. She loved Lifetime movies and anything Mr. Bean was in. She thought he was the most hilarious actor. She was a goofball and could be hilarious. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally. She was most proud of her grandson, Dashawn Fillmore. She wanted nothing more than for him to finish his education at Texas A&M. Janie was a woman of incredible strength. Life was not always easy for her, but she faced challenges head-on, determined to build a better future for her children. She taught us resilience, awareness, and the importance of standing strong in the face of adversity. She lived a tougher life than we did, and we believe her lessons were because she didn't want us to ever be exposed to the kinds of things she had to survive. Her wisdom and guidance were gifts she passed down, and her lessons will continue to shape us. Our mom was full of life, love, and personality. There are not enough words to encapsulate the true essence of who she was, the impact that she had, and the memories she leaves behind.

Janie is survived by her children, Janie Valdez (Joshua Romero), Ruby Olivarez (Jacob), and Mario Olivarez, Jr. (Betsy); grandchildren, Dashawn O’Neal Fillmore, Dunamis Olivarez, Mario Jose Olivarez III, Athen Olivarez, and Silas Olivarez; siblings, Maria Olga Gomez, Robert Gomez (Lydia), and Martin Valdez (Estella); and numerous nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arturo Duenes, Jr.; grandchild, Joseph Kendrick Fillmore; parents, Jose and Odulia Miranda Valdez; and siblings, Charle Gomez, Richard Gomez, Oralia Gomez Benavides, Flora Gomez, and Jose Valdez, Jr.

As we bid thee goodbye to Juanita Valdez, please, join the memorial service that celebrates every aspect of Juanita's life on March 8, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Pilar Catholic Church (1101 Bloomington Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78416). Visitation will be from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Our Lady of Pilar Catholic Church.

Rest in peace, Mom. You will always be loved and missed, and your love will be with us always.