Juana Maria Hernandez

In Loving Memory of Juana Maria Cordova Hernandez

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

II Timothy 4:7 NKJV

 Juana was born on August 24, 1944, in San José de Avino, Durango, Mexico. She passed away on October 17, 2026, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and sacrifice that would shape her family for generations.

 Born and raised in Mexico, Juana learned the meaning of hard work and responsibility at a young age. As a child, she worked and faced challenges that required her to grow up quickly, developing the strength and determination that would carry her throughout her life. At the age of 30, she made one of the most courageous decisions of her life. With a baby in her arms and her other children by her side, she left behind the life she had known in Mexico and began a difficult journey to the United States, determined to build a better future for her family.

 Her husband, José Hernandez, had traveled ahead to establish a home and prepare for their arrival. Despite the uncertainty and challenges that came with leaving her homeland, Juana pressed forward, determined to reunite her family and give her children opportunities beyond those she had known.

 Together, Juana and José began their life in Memphis, Texas, before moving to Boyd and later Bells, Texas. They raised a family rooted in love and perseverance. Juana was the mother of ten children, five of whom preceded her in death. Through the joys of motherhood and the unimaginable heartbreak of losing children, she remained a source of strength for those around her.

 Following the passing of her beloved husband, José, Juana eventually moved to Sherman, Texas, where she made her home and remained at the heart of her family.

 To her grandchildren, she was affectionately known as “Nanny.” A loving, protective, and sometimes strict grandmother, Nanny played an important role in raising and caring for every one of her grandchildren. She helped get them ready for school, made sure they were fed, and always kept a watchful eye over them. Her grandchildren will forever remember her firm instructions to play outside, but never beyond the yard. When Nanny made a rule, everyone knew she meant it. It was simply her way of making sure the people she loved were safe.

 Nanny was never one to hold back her opinions. Outspoken, honest, and never one to sugarcoat her words, she told things exactly as she saw them. Yet she also had an unexpectedly silly side, often catching her family off guard with her humor and bringing laughter when they least expected it. Her honesty, humor, and unmistakable personality made her someone her family could never forget.

 She was also an amazing cook, and her family knew that nobody could quite make things the way Nanny did. Of course, she wasn’t shy about letting others know that either. She was known for tasting her daughters’ cooking and offering suggestions on what was missing or what could be improved. No dish was ever completely safe from Nanny’s opinions, especially when it came to seasoning. She loved her salt, and in her eyes, a little more could almost always make something better. These everyday moments became some of the memories her family will cherish most.

 Nanny found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. Whether she was cheering on her beloved Dallas Cowboys, spending time crocheting, or keeping up with her favorite novellas, she enjoyed the familiar comforts of home. More than anything, she loved being surrounded by her family. Her home became a gathering place, filled with the memories of children and grandchildren who grew up under her care.

 Throughout her life, Juana was a devoted believer in Jesus Christ. Even as her health declined and she became less mobile, making it difficult for her to leave home or attend church, her desire to hear the Word of God never faded. She regularly woke up early in the morning to watch sermons on television. Even when the messages were not in Spanish, she understood the importance of hearing God’s Word. Prayer was a constant part of her daily life, and she faithfully cried out to God, bringing her worries, struggles, and hopes before Him. Her faith was not confined to a church building but remained present in the quiet moments of her everyday life.

 One of the most meaningful parts of Juana’s story is found in the opportunities she made possible for the generations who followed her. She may not have had the chance to travel the world or experience all that life had to offer, but her children and grandchildren were her world. Through their accomplishments, adventures, travels, and milestones, she was able to share in experiences that her sacrifices had helped make possible.

 Every new place they visited, every dream they pursued, and every opportunity they embraced was, in some way, a continuation of the journey she began years ago with a baby in her arms and her children by her side. Though she may not have experienced those things herself, she helped make them possible for those she loved.

 Juana was preceded in death by her beloved husband, José Hernandez, and five of her children; and her granddaughter, Paloma. 

 She is survived by her five children: Alicia, Antonia, Maria, José, and Ramón.

 She also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, whom she loved dearly and helped nurture throughout their lives: Victor, Isreal, Yeimi, Miranda, Olivia, Mario, Joseph, Adrian, Mark, Cesar, Ramón, Alejandro, Lorena, and Alva.

 Her legacy continues through her 12 great-grandchildren: Javier, Sophia, Jordan, Julian, Connor, Willow, Mia, Mariana, Vincent, Raina, Skyla, and Zaidyn.

 Each generation carries a part of her story; a reminder of the family she dedicated her life to and the love that will continue long after her passing.

 As a believer in Jesus Christ, Nanny’s family finds comfort in the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:8, which speaks of being “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Though her earthly journey has come to an end, they rejoice in the hope that she is now in the presence of her Savior, free from the pain and limitations of this life.

 Her family will forever cherish the memories of turning mere walks to the park or picking pecans into adventures; along with the familiar words Nanny would say as she settled in for the night: “Goodnight, goodnight, mucho, mucho,” or her nightly prayer, “Con Diosito me levanto, con Diosito me acuesto. Tú delante, yo detrás.” What once seemed like simple, everyday words have now become precious memories of her love, her faith, and the comfort of hearing her voice. Though they will no longer hear her say them, those words will remain in their hearts forever. Her selflessness ultimately taught them the meaning of true love. 

 Juana’s life was not defined by the places she traveled or the things she accomplished, but by the people she loved and the lives she helped shape. Her strength lives on in their perseverance, her love in their memories, and her sacrifices in the opportunities they now have. Though she is no longer physically present, the family she built remains a testament to a life devoted to others.

Nanny may not have traveled the world, but she gave her family the world. And in the end, her family was her world.