Our beloved Janie R. Diaz born on July 27, 1944 passed on to be with our Lord Father in Heaven on October 2, 2020. She was a mother, sister, aunt and friend and was preceded in death by first husband, John Blanchard Bell Jr., second husband, Juan Diaz, parents, Santos and Susie Rodriguez, siblings Santos Rodriguez Jr., Carlos Bernal, Leon Bernal and Anacleta Bernal. Janie is survived by her sisters and their spouses: Martha and Faustino Sanchez; Beatrice R. Antu; Antonia and Paul Velasquez; Inez Rodriguez; and her only son, John Wesley Bell along with several nieces and nephews.

Janie was an awesome mother to her only son, John. Everyone that was blessed to know Janie, would know that she was always the one to make you laugh with her when it was least expected. She was always loved and she will be missed tremendously.

The Family greatly appreciates all the professional, personal, loving care given to Janie R. Diaz by the nurses, doctors, staff & everyone at Embrace Hospice. To include Jennifer LeCavalier, Gima Martinez, Lourdes Cadena & Albert Ramirez.

My mom loved going to the beach to relax, reflect, clear her mind and conversate alone with God. Seldom did she reveal the depth or source of her pains. Rather she had dreams to bring happiness to everyone she met and loved. She made friends everywhere she went. Even in her favorite Wal-Mart or dollar store to talk with friends & make new ones. She loved helping, praying for and giving joy to people. She loved letting people know that they were special. She took the time to shop for just the right greeting cards to send to people. Such as the Christmas card she got for my mailman just so he knew he was thought of in her prayers. Her work, she worked as unto the Lord. Going the extra mile to ensure her customers (friends) were especially satisfied. She also gave of her time freely helping a friend at a Texaco Gas Station to stock the shelves and clean up the store inside and out. She also fed people she saw in need even when she had little to eat and generously gave of her money when she had little to offer. God gave my mom Joy. Her hobby, her mission, even in the toughest times and especially in tough times, she gave of her all to bring Joy to others. That made my mom, very very happy.

Vegetables ( Broccoli ) and Ice cream. I remember as a child, I ate all the meat from my plate, avoiding all those dreadful vegetables. My mom, she saw that and sat beside me to tell me of all the starving children in Africa. I truly felt sad and offered to send them my vegetables, believing that were possible. She said, no, but we should be appreciative of the food we have and not waste it. So I ate my vegetables and seldom ever left anything on my plate since.

That same night, right after finishing my vegetables, I heard the sound of rain outside along with a few cracks of thunder rumbling. I ran over to the couch, climbed up and pulled back the curtain to look out the window. As I watched the rain fall and the streaks of lightning flash in the night sky. I heard a song my mom played, "I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbitt. She also loved the following song that is also very fitting of her, "I Can Help" by Billy Swan. She also loved "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

About 6 years ago around 11:30 at night. After multiple failed attempts calling my mom to do our nightly talk. I packed up my little chihuahua in my van and rushed over to her side of town. As I exited the freeway in record time I thought maybe I should check the Texaco Gas Station she frequented. Yes! There was her car parked in an unusually dark parking lot. I sped in, parked and anxiously ran to the front doors and found that they were locked. Then before I began to knock, I saw something amazing occurring in the middle of that store that I should had recorded, however, in this moment, that Joy seen, will forever be part of my memory.

There was my mom. Happy. A face filled with Joy. Dancing. Having fun. Now looking back, I can see Jesus there with her in that very innocent moment. Joying with her and having a good time in living innocently as that of a child not exposed to the evils of this world. Dancing like a monkey doing the walk like an Egyptian. It was like I was witnessing her there, as a child, carefree in that moment, in a playground, having fun with her friend. Her Joy so contagious that this Afghanistani immigrant man that left the perilous times of his beloved homeland to make Texas his new home with his beautiful family, spared a moment of his busy time to enjoy some child like joy from the challenges of managing a convenient store. He locked up that store, turned up the music and copied her dance. They danced separately in a large circle going around and around opposite each other. You could see the innocent pure Joy in their faces. This is what my mom carried with her. Joy. There I saw she had shared with that kind man, named Abdul. Both dancing and I believe I heard, both singing very loudly and very out of tune, especially him. Who knows how long this went on before I arrived but I couldn't interrupt. Nearly 20 minutes went by till my mom saw me & let me in. I so enjoyed that and stayed to help her help her friend clean and restock his store.

Now recently, as I stood at her bedside, and beside me, a nurse. My mom began speaking of me. She said nice things of me as she looked at me, into my eyes and then past me. I saw her eyes and face appear to strain as I felt an unfamiliar sadness fill me, that she did not recognize me. Then not even a second later she leaned forward, closed her eyes and said, "I don't know what religion I am" then my mom, her body weak in bed, raised her hands and pointed up "but, I KNOW JESUS" "HE IS MY MESSIAH!"

I teared up with Joy and nearly overcame with the moment as I felt goosebumps all over as I silently shouted for Joy in my heart to God "Thank You Jesus. That's it! She knows You Lord as her Messiah!" "Lord, this especially beautiful lady You gave me as my beloved mom can fail to recognize me, but thank You Lord, my mom, she knows You!"

Yaaayyy!!!   Jesus!!!

A song my cousin heard that reminded her of my mom and even more so after learning of my memory of her at the Texaco. "Dance monkey" by Tone and I

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me. Please try to understand. That an angel came and called my name. And took me by the hand. The angel said my place was ready, in Heaven far above. And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven's Gates. I felt so much at home. For God looked down, smiling at me. And told me "Welcome Home." So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart. For every time you think of me. I'm right there in your heart.