Juanita Zamora Rodriguez, 83, Celina, went to be with our Lord and Savior on March 22, 2013.

She was born Dec. 24, 1929, in Crandall, Texas, to Jacabo and Romana Carrisales Zamora. She moved to Celina in 1950 and started a new life with her husband, Simon Rodriguez, who is deceased.

Survivors include 14 children, Tolentino (Ignasia) Rodriguez and Simon Rodriguez Jr., both of Celina, John (Mae) Rodriguez of Kansas, Robert (Mary) Rodriguez of Fort Worth, Texas, Lola (Robert) Garza of Arkansas, Jacob Rodriguez of Celina, Sandra (Greg) McGuire of Lima, Clarisa (Michael) Pannell of Gahanna, Chris (Mary) Rodriguez of Newport, Kenneth (Jamie) Rodriguez of Lancaster, Cecelia (Fred) Amezquita of Lakeland, Fla., Linda Cordova of Osgood and Robin Rodriguez of West Carrollton; 52 grandchildren; 90 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Loisa "Anita" (Hal) Morris of Biloxi, Miss.

She was preceded in death by a son Inocencio; a grandson, Brian Garza; sisters, Leonila Zamora, Raquel Lopez, Rufina Pequino, Savina Castaneda, Luz Perez and Elia Garcia; and a brother, Victoriano "Bill" Zamora.

Simon and Juanita were among the first groups of migrant workers that settled in Celina in 1950. The original group of migrant families were the Guillermo "Willie" and Dominga Gonzalez and Jeorge "George" and Adela Posada families. She was the last surviving member of this group. The families were not always welcomed at first, simply because of their heritage, but were soon accepted into the community and they happily raised their families in Mercer County.

She worked for Mercer County Health Department and the Community Action Commission as an outreach and social worker. She played an important role in reaching out to the migrant community in educating and introducing them to healthier lifestyles. She received a social services degree from Lansing, Mich.

She was a servant of God and was always working to bring His word to others so they could be saved. She was always ready with her Bible verses underlined to share with her company. She loved to listen to old Motown songs and loved to sing, crochet and garden. She was a very strong-willed woman who never took no for an answer. She wanted to teach the word of God to her children and would discuss the Bible at any opportunity. She also enjoyed visiting with her grand pets, including her grand cat Fernando, who she will be united with.

She will be missed dearly by her extended family and friends in Ohio and Haines City, Fla.

Funeral services are 11 a.m., Tuesday at W.H. Dick and Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Randy Christian officiating. Burial will be at Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Monday, and 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be left at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.