Juanita "Janie" Rhodes
7/17/1946 - 12/24/2024

Juanita ''Janie'' Peña Rhodes, affectionately known as ''Juani'' by her family, gained her angel wings on December 24, 2024 at the age of 78, while surrounded by loved ones at her residence in Sugar Land, TX following a courageous 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Monterrey, Mexico on July 17, 1946 to Raymundo and Inez Peña, Janie and her family immigrated to the United States when she was five. One of five children, she grew up in Freeport, Texas and lived in the Brazosport area for many years before moving to the Houston area in 2014 to be closer to her daughter, Monica, and help care for her grandson, Brayden. After graduating from Brazosport High School in 1964, Janie attended secretarial / business school in Houston and embarked on a career as an office professional. In 1977, she returned to Freeport with her daughter and enjoyed a successful 20-year administrative career at Dow Chemical, retiring in 1997 at age 50. Janie proudly became a U.S. citizen when she was 40. She married Dan C. Rhodes, her husband of 27 years, in 1998 and they made a home in Lake Jackson and then Richwood until Dan's passing in 2008.

Janie was known for her vibrant spirit and love of life, bringing joy to every occasion and always up for an adventure. She was a thoughtful, caring, positive, dependable, selfless, giving, fun individual with a heart of gold. Her love and compassion were hallmarks of her character and she was someone who could always be counted on. Helping others was so incredibly important to her and she went out of her way to assist and be there for others in any way she could. She loved music and dancing, shopping, dining out, happy hours, family gatherings, traveling and exploring new places, as well as reading, true crime, researching natural remedies, playing Solitaire or Mahjong, staying active with line dancing and belly dancing classes, and relaxing with the latest movie. She and her daughter enjoyed going to concerts together and taking trips together. While her husband was alive, the two of them enjoyed birdwatching, gardening, raising butterflies and flipping houses. They always loved a good bargain and had many fond memories of going to Canton, Texas for First Monday Trade Days in search of ''treasures.'' Above all, she treasured time spent with her friends and family, especially her grandson.

She was committed to helping others and her generosity knew no bounds. Volunteerism played a significant role in Janie's life. While at Dow, she actively participated in community service including beach clean-ups and events such as Senior Citizens' Day at the Brazoria County Fair. Serving the community was a regular part of her life and something she instilled in her daughter at an early age. The two of them greatly enjoyed doing community service projects together. After retirement, she became her daughter's number one volunteer, assisting Monica with numerous professional events and projects and supporting a variety of non-profits and causes.

Janie found profound fulfillment in her volunteer work for the Hospice Care Team. In fact, she was so good at it, they later hired her as a Chaplain's assistant, which allowed her to continue the important work of supporting patients in their end-of-life journey. Soon thereafter, she discovered her passion for healing energy work and found her new calling and purpose with a second career as a reflexologist and reiki master at Divine Massage & Sauna in Brazoria.

Janie's greatest love was her grandson, Brayden. She loved being his "Nana Banana." Monica and Maureen will forever be grateful to Janie for picking up her roots and moving to Houston to be a hands-on Nana. From his birth to his school days and everything in between, Nana was there. Ever the devoted grandma, she cheered Brayden on during all his activities, from baseball, soccer and basketball to breakdancing and musical performances, and supported him on tough days. They loved going to Luby's and Chick-fil-A together, being silly with one another and making each other laugh, playing games, watching funny videos together, exploring parks and visiting lots of museums and zoos. She was Brayden's first and very best friend and they shared countless adventures.

She appreciated the humor in life and her laughter was contagious. She truly loved to laugh, usually the one laughing the loudest and longest at a good joke or a funny meme - especially in exchanges shared with her siblings, daughter or grandson. Janie's positivity, joyful spirit, beautiful heart, kind soul, sweet smile and unwavering support of others left a lasting impact on those who knew her. She will be greatly missed by so

many, as the lives she touched and impacted are countless. Her loved ones will forever cherish the many wonderful memories made together and honor her by raising a glass of Long Island iced tea or margarita on the rocks and continuing to spread her love, kindness and positivity into the world.

Janie's beloved survivors include: daughter Monica Rhodes of Sugar Land, Texas and grandson Brayden Maiuri-Rhodes; sister and brother-in-law Hortensia and Julio Hernandez; sister Alicia Peña; brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Liane Peña; niece Cindy Santos (Bob); niece Sandy Delgado; niece Selina Gurule (Ernest); niece Norma Hernandez Crocker (Joey); niece Debbie Perez (Tony); niece Melissa Gonzales (Daniel); nephew Jay Hernandez (Barbara); nephew James Hernandez; niece Stazny Duckworth (Colby); niece Amanda Peña; nephew Aaron Peña; cousin America Quintanilla Balleza; niece Barbara Martin; niece Yazmin Balleza; niece Heidy Balleza (Sergio Mares); daughter-in-love Maureen T. Maiuri; ''honorary son'' Micheal A. Corona; numerous cousins, great nieces and nephews; dear friends Carolyn Sheffield, Gwen Carlson, Pam Warren, Janet Castor, Lynda Uher, Janet Lauer, her special friend Vincent Simmons and his family, and many others.

She was preceded in death by parents Raymundo and Inez Peña; husband Dan C. Rhodes; sister Minerva ''Minnie'' Horn; niece Belinda Martindale; cousins Elida and Alfonso Gonzalez; brother-in-law Skip Dohle; cousin Pablo Balleza; and dear friend Luana Lee.

A Celebration of Life Memorial & Reception will take place on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 1 - 4 pm at the Clute Event Center at the B. R. Hester Complex in Clute Park (100 Parkview Drive, Clute, TX 77531).

Charitable contributions, in lieu of flowers, would be welcomed by the Prelude Music Foundation, www.preludemusicfoundation.org; or Hope Stone, Inc., www.hopestoneinc.org/donate-v2. Plants or arrangements may be received at the Clute Event Center between 9 am - 12 pm on January 19.

Obituary Provided By:

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