Juanita C. Jaimes

On Saturday, September 14th, 2024, Juanita Cestou Jaimes entered eternal rest at the age of 73.

Born to Rosa Arce and Alfonso Cestou in Cueramaro,Guanajuato. She is preceded in death by her father Alfonso Cestou and her siblings Sara and Martha Cestou. 

At seven years old she moved to Nuevo Laredo where she eventually met the love of her life. After a brief courtship, Jose and Juanita married and settled in Laredo, Texas where they proudly purchased their forever land on Rosario St.

In Laredo, the first of their two children Joseph and Michael were born. Jose's Naval career then took them to the Northeast. They moved every few months as military families do, but called Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina home for extended periods of time. She traveled to Laredo, Texas to ensure her next two children, Loui and Johnny, would also be Laredoans. After Jose completed his naval career, the family returned to Laredo. The family home was built within one year of their return with help from family and friends. Juanita was the sole architect, engineer and designer of their dream home. Their final child Jaime soon followed.

Her children appreciate and remember her for her wisdom, kindness, generosity and beacon of righteousness. She always said the right things at the right time to encourage growth and success. Her moral and ethical compass shines through the actions and lives of her children. She was heavily involved in the education of her children and volunteered in her sons’ many school functions and programs. A lifetime was spent driving to and from school, sports, and extracurricular activities.

While her children may believe her greatest work was motherhood, Laredo and a small part of the world would say otherwise. Family, friends and friends of friends would seek her wisdom and financial support. She never denied anyone. She volunteered in school and community related functions predominantly benefitting migrants and the needy. As the family lived next to a railroad, she often fed the hungry and thirsty. She always found ways to support us - cooking, cleaning, upholstery, buying/selling. Midlife saw her self-taught career blossom into a full-time practice. She initially started with Income tax/ notary work to eventually become an expert in immigration law. She was always so proud to help someone when lawyers could not. Immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America patiently lined up for her expertise. She loved her craft and worked tirelessly till her final days. 

Michael recalls a recent story that highlights her persona. While working in a local Laredo hospital surgical suite, one of his coworkers asked him who his parents were. He responded - Juanita and Jose Jaimes. There was a chorus of oohhs and aahhs. Every single member of the team of nurses, techs and assistants, whether personally, or their families, had been helped by her.

When she was not busy saving someone, she enjoyed reading, movies, treasure hunting at flea markets, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Juanita Cestou Jaimes: wife, mother, counselor, notaria publica, immigration expert, tax accountant, cook, driver, seamstress, upholsterer, businesswoman, philanthropist, treasure hunter, angel. Your life's work and accomplishments will continue through all who you touched. You will be dearly missed. Rest in peace. 

Left to cherish her memory are he loving husband, Jose Jaimes; children, Joseph and Veronica, Michael and Jill, Loui and Melissa, Johnny and Monica, and Jaime; grandchildren, Joey, Zoie, Major, Mia, Jacob, Asher, Loui Jr, Sadie, Ethan, Nate, and Johnny Jr.; great-grandchildren, Joey JR; siblings, Santa Cestou, Guadalupe Manzano, Alfonso Cestou, Manuela Vega, Jose Cestou, and Jorge Cestou; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Wednesday evening, September 18, 2024 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Thursday morning, September 19, 2024 departing at 8:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.