Juanita "Jeannie" Montoya

✨ A Life Filled With Love, Laughter, and Devotion ✨

Juanita “Jeannie” Montoya, 75, of Roswell, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Merced, California, surrounded by the love she spent her life giving so freely.

Born on July 8, 1950, in Roswell to Juan "Tejon" Montoya and Fidel Ramirez, Jeannie grew up in a home rich with family, culture, and deep roots. At sixteen, she courageously began a new chapter in California, where she would build the life that became her greatest joy.

Jeannie devoted her heart to raising her two sons, John Campos and Ernest Garza Jr. She was not only their mother but their guiding light, their strength, and their constant source of unconditional love. Her family was her purpose, and she poured her entire soul into supporting their dreams and celebrating their successes.

Her warmth radiated through everything she touched — the meals she lovingly cooked, the blankets she crocheted stitch by stitch, the laughter she shared so generously. Her humor was quick, her smile comforting, and her laugh unforgettable — the kind that wrapped around you and made you feel at home.

Jeannie leaves behind a beautiful legacy through her children and grandchildren: Son: John Campos Grandchildren: Ciera (Raymond) Betencourt, Delilah, and Kaylee Campos Son: Ernest Garza Jr. (Alejandra) Grandchildren: Deleena (Shawn) Benson, Deztany, Dante (Erica), Danessa, Drake, and Diamond Garza She was blessed with five great‑grandchildren — Brody, Hazel, Asher, Tatum, and soon‑to‑arrive Landon — each one a precious light in her life. They brought her joy beyond measure, and she cherished every moment she spent with them.

Jeannie is also survived by her loving siblings Dorothy Carasco, Mary Zepeda, and Billy Joe Montoya. She now reunites in peace with her parents, her sister Rosie Fuentes, and her brothers Roy and David Dominguez.

Her family will forever remember her as a petite blonde full of life. Her family and friends would tell you she loved to dance and watch her old black and white shows as well as her cooking shows, always wanting others to try out her new food dishes. Christmas time was one of our favorites, her tamales were the best and cant leave out her New Mexico enchiladas with an over medium egg on top.

She will be missed until we see each other again. Her love was generous, her spirit gentle, and her presence a blessing.

A viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. on March 14 at Mercy Culture AG Church, located at 1350 Yosemite Parkway.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Jeannie’s memory with an act of love toward your own loved ones — just as she did every day of her life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Juanita "Jeannie" Montoya, please visit our floral store.