Juliana Zepeda Vela ascended into celestial glory on Sunday, April 13th, 2008. As a child, she worked alongside her migrant farmworker family, raised seven children of her own, worked as a nurse's aide in convalescent centers, earned a vocational nursing degree and retired from the Austin State Hospital. After retirement, she continued to care for children with special needs. Born on February 14, 1939 in Cuero, Texas, she was one of 9 girls and 3 boys born to Micaela Zepeda and Praxedis Vela. Juliana is survived by her sisters Lucia, Jesusa, Lupe, Maria, Felicitas, and Aurora; brother, Wilfredo; children, Joanne and husband Sam, Tomas, Gloria and husband Tim, Alma and husband Martin, Abel, Patricia, Pedro and wife Marycela; 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was wed to Pedro G. Salas, the father of her children for 23 years. Prayer reflection will be offered at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 17 at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, April 18 at Wilke-Clay-Fish Chapel. Interment will be at 1:30 pm at Memory Lawn Memorial Park in Martindale, Texas.
