Juanita Baker Felder

Dr. Juanita Baker Felder, age 99, passed away April 30, 2025. Nita was born in Chattanooga, TN on October 26, 1925, attended school in Valdosta, GA, and earned a Doctorate in Education at Texas A & M University in College Station, TX. She taught in public schools in New Jersey, taught English as a Second Language on Okinawa, Japan, was an instructor for many years at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland AFB, and retired from the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston, TX.

Nita was a life member of the American Association of University Women, the Phi Delta Kappa, the University of Maryland Alunni Association, the University of Texas at San Antonio Alumni Association, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and the San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of the Beautiful Birthday Bunch, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Super Adults, the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, the Gold Star Wives of America, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

She enjoyed traveling with friends, doing water aerobics, playing Mexican Train, and playing cribbage.

Nita was preceded in death by her husband, Robert P. Felder, her daughter, Mary Juanita (Sherry) Castater, two great-grandsons Michael Maestas and Gage Thornton, and grandson Mark Caffalette. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Fay Baker, Youngersville, NC: three daughters, Sandra E. Felder, San Antonio, TX, Theresa Thornton, Boise, ID, and Margaret (Anthony) Caffalette, Bastrop, TX. Grandchildren Kim E. Maestas, Albuquerque, NM, Kenneth R. Orosco (Barbara), Albuquerque, NM, Nichole and Shauna Castater, Pembroke Pines, FL, Noal Castater (Holly), Waynesville, NC, Christopher Thornton (Kristen), Kuna, ID, Jason Thornton (Jackie), Nampa, ID, Alisha Gabriel (Noel), Georgetown, TX, 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Juanita is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, located at 515 North Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205. A Celebration of Life will commence at 11:00 AM, followed by a private service and interment for the family will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the charity of your choice in Dr. Felder's name.