Juanita Garcia-Rivas, 78, of Weslaco, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. She was born on February 2nd, 1947, in Hidalgo, Texas, the beloved middle daughter of the late Pedro Garcia and Maximiana Alaniz.
Juanita was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love for her family knew no bounds. Her greatest pride and joy came from raising her children and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. Her home was always filled with laughter, warmth, and the aroma of her cooking—and often, the joyful sound of her favorite Tejano music station, 98.5, playing in the background.
A woman of deep faith, Juanita was a devoted Catholic who loved God wholeheartedly. She lived her faith through kindness, generosity, and the way she cared for everyone around her. Her strong belief and unwavering trust in God were the foundation of her life.
Juanita was known for her big personality and loving spirit. She never met a stranger—always striking up conversations with anyone she met, whether at the grocery store or a family gathering. She had a playful, feisty sense of humor and loved to joke around, bringing smiles wherever she went.
She had a creative and resourceful soul, often filling her home with small DIY projects and beautiful sewn creations. Juanita loved getting dressed up to go out, playing bingo, and taking trips to the casino—always ready for a little fun and excitement. Her love for her pets, Charlie and Sophie, was just another reflection of the big heart she carried.
Juanita’s legacy is one of love, laughter, faith, and resilience. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her spirit will continue to live on through her family, her stories, and the music she cherished.
She is survived by her children: Aida Rivas, Javier Rivas, Sandra Mata-Rivas, and Cecilia Rivas; grandchildren: Omar Rivas Jr., Juanita Renee Rivas, Christopher Rivas, Erik Rivas, Joey Herrera, Shaila Herrera, Michael Rivas, Fabian Rivas, Makayla Rivas, Baltazar Jr. Garcia, Tiani Morales, Janisha Morales, Angelina Mata, Armando Jr. Mata, and Isaac Mata; great-grandchildren: Davina, Santiago, Azael, Roman, Sophia, Anaya, Carlos, and Elijah; and her beloved siblings: Josefina Aceves, Pedro Garcia, Virgilio Garcia, Oscar Garcia, Maria Aceves, Jesus Garcia, Dolores Torres, Jose Garcia, Zenaida DeLeon, and Jorge Garcia.
Juanita’s life was one of joy, family, and faith—a beautiful example of a life well-lived and a love well-shared.
