Juanita T Saldana's Obituary
Juanita Trujillo Saldana, 96, passed away peacefully on April 8th, 2025, at her home in
Channelview, Texas, surrounded by loved ones.
Juanita was born on November 26th, 1928, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Liborio Trujillo and
Ignacita Jimenez. In June of 1956, she married Daniel Lopez, with whom she had five children:
Daniel Dean, Eugene John Paul, Grace Geraldine, Edward Ronald, and Robert Rully Lopez. In
1971, a few years after Robert’s birth, she married Santiago Jim Saldana, “Jim”. Together, they
raised her five children alongside Jim’s two children, Santiago Jim Saldana, Jr. “Rusty”, and
Gloria Jean Kimble “Jeanie”, forming a blended family rooted in love, patience, and faith.
Juanita graduated in 1948 from Foothill High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she
was valedictorian of her class – a testament to the sharp intellect and determination that defined
her life.
After moving with her family to Channelview, Texas in 1969, Juanita found the spiritual home
that would anchor her for the rest of her days. She began attending the Channelview Church of
Christ, and in 1979, sought salvation through her Lord and Savior. On November 18th, 1980,
Juanita was baptized – an act of devotion that marked a new chapter in her life. From that day
forward, she lived with an unwavering faith, dedicating herself to sharing the Word of the Lord
with everyone she could reach. Her spiritual walk was not quiet; it was active, intentional, and
deeply rooted in love and service.
In 1982, Juanita and her husband Jim answered a higher calling and became house parents at the
Sunny Glen Children’s home, in San Benito, Texas, where they led Cottage 4. There, they
provided guidance and care for children who had been removed from their homes due to difficult
circumstances. With compassion and firm moral grounding, they provided structure, love, and
spiritual guidance, offering each child a chance to heal and grow in a nurturing environment
rooted in faith. This chapter of her life became one of her proudest callings – an opportunity to
model the grace and teachings of Christ through daily service and providing love, discipline, and
direction to young lives in need.
In 1994, Juanita and Jim began working with the Channelview Church of Christ’s prison
ministry, visiting multiple correctional facilities – most frequently the Hightower Unit. From
1994 to 2001, they faithfully served together, sharing the Gospel and building connections with
incarcerated individuals who were seeking transformation. Even after Jim became ill with
tuberculosis and leukemia and passed away in 2004, Juanita remained committed to the work.
She continued leading the prison ministry through Bible correspondence courses, handwritten
letters, and prayer. Her words reached far beyond the prison wall – touching hearts, opening
eyes, and guiding souls toward the Lord. Her ministry helped plant seeds of faith in many who
otherwise might never have known God’s grace.
In addition to her many roles as a mother, wife, mentor and servant of the Lord, Juanita also
played a pivotal role in the lives of her descendants. She helped raise her grandson, Marco Jim
Lopez, from the time he was just two years old, pouring into him the same wisdom, discipline,
and compassion she had offered so many others. Her influence did not end there – years later,
she would help raise Marco’s only son, Tyler Jim Lopez, continuing her legacy of love and
guidance with the next generation. Her home remained a sanctuary, her hands ever busy with
care, and her heart always open to those who needed her most.
Juanita’s life was a living testimony of grace, faith, and tireless service. She leaves behind a
legacy etched in the lives of those she raised, those she ministered to, and those who knew her as
a guiding light through both calm and storm.
She is survived by two of her five children: Daniel Dean Lopez and Eugene John Paul Lopez;
her stepchild, Gloria Jean Kimble; her beloved grandsons Marco Jim Lopez, and his only son
Tyler Jim Lopez, whom she raised as her own, as well as Eugene John Paul Lopez, Jr.; her
granddaughter Mindy Lopez (daughter of Daniel Dean), and Mindy’s children, Devon Lucas and
Tristen Lucas; and her sisters Toni Vijil, Victoria G. Bazzel, and Jovita Novis. She is also
remembered with love by a wide circle of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews,
and her extended church family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Santiago “Jim” Saldana; her parents, Liborio Trujillo
and Ignacita Jimenez; her children, Grace Geraldine Lopez, Edward Ronald Lopez, and Robert
Raul Lopez; her stepchild, Santiago Jim Saldana, Jr., and her siblings, Sophie Comiñi, and Tino
Trujillo – all of whom she longed to be reunited with in glory.
A funeral service, visitation and viewing will be held at the Channelview Church of Christ, on
April 26th, 2025, at 1:00 PM. All who knew and loved Juanita are welcome to attend and
celebrate her remarkable life.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV):
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Juanita’s legacy is not only in the generations that follow her – but in the lives she helped
rebuild, the souls she guided to the Lord, and the peace she carried to her final breath.
What’s your fondest memory of Juanita?
What’s a lesson you learned from Juanita?
Share a story where Juanita's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Juanita you’ll never forget.
How did Juanita make you smile?
