Juanita Inez Sandoval

Juanita Inez Sandoval, also known as Grandma Bama, was a long time resident of Nambe, NM. She was born on October 31, 1927 in Guachupangue, NM. The Lord called her home on the morning of May 20, 2023. She passed away quietly in her home while being cared for by her son Anthony.

Preceding her in death was her beloved husband Garcedan Sandoval (Grandpa Garci), mother Cordelia G. Romero, father Juan Fresquez, son Robert Steven, and also twin daughters Mariella C. Crawford and Marietta A. Marquez.

Juanita was a small framed, delicate lady who possessed a graceful and gentle spirit, loved and admired by her family. Married to the love of her life, Garcedan, for 62 years, until the Lord called him home in 2014. They were absolutely inseparable, true partners in life. At the beginning, Juanita and Garcedan lived for several years in Venice, CA. They came to Nambe, NM to be closer to family and begin a new chapter in life. They enjoyed playing cards and visiting family after church. It never mattered what they were doing, as long as they were together! They were faithful to the family, as they did all they could to help raise their grandchildren. She was a good wife, mother and dedicated homemaker as well as a doting grandmother. Juanita was a very intelligent woman who enjoyed many genres of literature and particularly fond of westerns written about the old Southwest. She was joyful, never missed the opportunity to laugh. She always encouraged her loved ones with a goodbye kiss and “Have fun! Remember, everything is fun!” She spent her days reading books and incredibly went so far as to write three novels that she stored in her mind that she could tell verbatim to all who would listen. She always promoted learning about current events and she enjoyed teaching others about the past from her wealth of knowledge. She had a love for vocabulary! She actually made crossword puzzles in her mind! She enjoyed having meaningful conversations, always taking a genuine interest in people’s lives. Her joy was her family, but most of all, she loved God. She relentlessly prayed that all her children would come to know and trust the Lord Jesus. Juanita’s eyesight slowly deteriorated in her later years and eventually she became completely blind but because she was a resilient woman, she didn’t allow it to incapacitate her. She listened to her books, told her stories and talked to Jesus until He took her home.

Juanita is survived by her son Anthony Sandoval and girlfriend Christine Gallegos, daughter Suzanna Yanez and husband Robert Duesenberg, son in law Lo Crawford, son in law Edward Marquez, grandchildren Sonya Roberts and husband Carl Roberts, Loella Crawford , Celli Crawford, Christina Marquez, Edward S, Marquez and wife Sylvia, Kathryn and partner Jeremy Vigil, Andrew, Suzette and partner Henry Quintana, great-grandchildren Alexandria and husband Houston Pitts, Garcedan and wife Natalia, Brisa, Lluvia, Olivia, Logan, Aaron, Steven, Michael, Mariah, Alexis, Jeremy, Sky, Kylee, Andres, Shanya, Klairyce, Josie, Anthony and Victoria, great-great grandson Gavino, and also including family friend Molly Sandoval.

A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM on Tuesday June 6, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nambe, NM. Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday June 7, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow the Mass at 2:00 PM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.

Juanita’s family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory as well as Ambercare Home Health for their care and compassionate services. A special thank you to Christine Gallegos for her love and willingness to do all she could to care for Bama. Thank you to all who continue to pray for the Lord’s comfort and strength for the family. Most of all we give glory to God who comforts by His Holy Spirit assuring His children that salvation is attained only through faith in His Son Jesus Christ our Lord! “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10

The family of Juanita has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.  www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477