Juanita Natal Castilleja went to be with the Lord Wednesday night on September 28, 2022, at the age of 79.

She was born on December 9, 1942, in Lockhart Texas. Known as Janie, she was one of eight children born to the late Leonarda G. Natal and Eusebio Natal. It was those early years, surrounded by family, where she was able to form a foundation that would allow her to lead and live an extraordinary life. During the 1950's she traveled from state to state through the Brazero Program. Janie worked long, tough hours in the agricultural fields of America picking cotton.

Janie and her husband Jose Jaime Castilleja shared a special love for each other and together shared forty-nine years of marriage. She adored her most precious gifts from the Lord, her five children, Marisol, Claudia, Adriana, Jaime, and Omar, where nothing made her happier than being their mother.

Janie accomplished much during her life. She worked for Brothers Bakery and through her tenure would eventually become co-owner with her husband. For more than 20 years she helped lead a successful business and became a staple amongst her community. She found the simple pleasures of life were most satisfying; great conversation, making someone smile, and feeling hopeful for the future of those she knew.

Her capacity for generosity knew no bounds as she would help anyone with support, encouragement, and guidance. Nobody left hungry around Janie, she loved being in the kitchen cooking for those she cared about. It was in the kitchen where she would bake and cook up all kinds of delicacies, churning out her most famous tamales and carne guisada. She loved when family and friends would come together for holidays and special occasion. Any reason to dance and celebrate life truly fulfilled her. Those times exists now in our memories and will be cherished and remembered forever. While her time with us in this world must conclude, her love and legacy live on forever.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Leonarda Gonzales Natal; father, Eusebio Natal; great grandson, Ryder M. Silva; brothers, Jose Natal and Refugio Natal; and sister, Florentina N. Munoz.

She is survived by her husband, Jose Jaime Castilleja; children, Marisol C. Nuńez (Carlos), Claudia I. Rangel (Homero), Adriana C. Retault (Louis), Jaime Castilleja (Jeremie Ann), and Omar Castilleja (Leticia); 13 grandchildren; siblings, Feliza Natal, Guadalupe Natal, Francisca Salazar, and Carmen Rocha; in addition to numerous extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Castillo Funeral Home from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022, at St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church at 10:00 am with interment to follow at San Fernando II Catholic Cemetery.