Juanita C. Melendez

Juanita Cantú Melendez passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at her home in Staunton, Virginia.

She was born on February 6, 1929, in Merkel, Texas to Eudoxio and Petra (Ortíz) Cantú.

Juanita was married to Domingo Melendez, Sr. from June 1, 1946, until his passing. Together they had thirteen children (three of which passed away at birth). They were self-employed retail grocery store owners. Their first store was called Mercado Melendez, located in Gravelton, Indiana. The second store was South of the Border Imports in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Their third business was a restaurant/store in Groveland, Florida. Juanita and Domingo were baptized at the Seventh-day Adventist Spanish Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

After they retired, they lived in McAllen, Texas until Domingo’s passing on January 15, 2005. Juanita later moved to Staunton, Virginia, in 2020 to be cared for by her daughter, Sonia and her son-in-law, Jose L. Vazquez, and their adult children.

Juanita was a crafty woman with many talents. She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, making flower arrangements, cooking, traveling and spending time in nature. Still, her biggest passion was being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a great-great-grandmother. Most of all, she was a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Juanita is survived by eight children, Pete (wife, Haydee), Joe (wife, Debbie), Fina (husband, David), Rosa (husband, Joe), Linda (husband, Terry), Dave, Sonia (husband, Jose Luis), and Javier; 19 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Eudoxio and Petra Cantú; her husband, Domingo Melendez Sr; her sons, Jose Jesús, Mingo, Domingo Jr.; and her daughters, Juanita and Mercedes Melendez; as well as her mother-in-law, Susana (Felix) Melendez, whom she cared for until her passing.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Waynesboro Seventh-day Adventist Church.

A burial will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at La Piedad Cemetery in McAllen, Texas.