Juanita L. Wieser

She was born at her family home in Mexia, Madison County, Texas. There is no record of her birth, as the courthouse that held those records burned down in 1967.

Juanita had 6 children, 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great grandchildren.

Juanita was always a very hard worker. She started her career working in diners and restaurants as a teenager. She inevitably worked her way up to managing any establishment she worked at. In her late twenties, she started working at one of the Rettig’s Ice Cream Shops in Houston. This is where she met her husband, Alfred Wieser (Big Al). They were married for 48 years. She was a working mom as she was always striving to provide all that she could for her children. She went to work for Montgomery Ward managing the Buffeteria in the Palm Center Store. From there, she transferred to the Memorial Center Store. When Montgomery Ward decided to close their Buffeterias, she convinced them to let her try her hand at selling major appliances. This is where she really excelled. She advanced her career at the Baybrook Mall store and quickly became the top salesperson. She was a go-getter; she would not let anyone leave without purchasing an extended warranty! She won many sales awards, including several international trips. She was very proud of these trips as it enabled her to fulfill Al’s dream of traveling.

Juanita was an avid gardener. She could grow anything. Her yard was always a menagerie of plants and trees. She had several fruit trees that thrived. The grandkids loved picking the fruit from the trees. Often times she would rescue plants from her children, take them home, and bring them back to life. Most of her “free time” was spent working in the yard. She was the perpetual recipient of the “Yard of the Month” award. No one else had a chance against her.

Big Red was famous for her Sunday dinners. Anyone and everyone were welcome. She cooked all day. Her usual menu included fried chicken, chili beans, sausage and cabbage, roast, German fried potatoes, greens, macaroni and cheese, cucumber salad, sliced tomatoes, and more! No one left hungry.

She loved decorating the house for Christmas. As with everything, she went above and beyond. There were lights everywhere. Not an inch was left unlit! She even recruited Tammy’s boyfriend to be Santa. He was in the yard for hours handing out candy canes. It goes without saying, she won the Best Decorated House most years.

She taught her children to work hard and strive to become successful.

She was a medical anomaly. She knocked on death’s door many times and came back out of it. On October 17, she decided to join Big Al, who has been waiting for her for 25 years.

Juanita is survived by her sister Jerry Evans; four of her six children, Larry G Stephenson and wife Judy; Deborah Barfield Sump and husband Darrell; Cynthia Canino, and Tamala Wieser; grandchildren Brenda Baggerly, Tiffany Zoch, Charmaine Coleman, Dana Coleman, Larry Stephenson Jr., Keri Stephenson, Jeremy Stephenson and wife Michele, Sherry Andrus and husband Winn, Danny Bodiford and wife Stephanie, Jack Bodiford, Jason Bodiford, Justin Bodiford, Melissa Weber and husband Kent, Natalie McCauley and husband Kristopher, William Canino Jr. and wife Bryanna, Brett Canino and wife Chelsea; great grandchildren Krystal, Amber, Cindy, Brittany, Johnathan, Blake, Bill, Ryan, Dane, Cayden, Luke, Lindsey, Austin, Grayson, Else, Breanna, Aron, Stormee, Angelica, Sara, Savannah, Annabel, Nadia, Owen, Benjamin, Nora, Lucas; and many great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years Alfred Wieser; her mother Emma Grace Thomas; her father Hubert O’Pry; her brothers Willie Darrell Gressett and James Gressett; children Shirley Coleman and Patty Dombrowski; son in law William Canino; grandchildren Ronnie Coleman, Stephanie. Stacy, and Tracy Stephenson, Terri Bodiford; and great grandchild Evan McCauley.

Family visitation will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm with a funeral service to start at 2:00 pm and a committal to follow. All services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 21620 Gulf Freeway in Webster, Texas.