Juanita Molina Aguilar

Juanita Molina Aguilar, 84, of Crane, Texas passed away peacefully the morning of Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, with the love of her family surrounding her.

Juanita was born and raised in Grandfalls, Texas in 1940 to Pete and Consuelo Molina. In her early 20’s, she then moved to Crane to live with her aunt Manuela, where she got a job working at the Frost Motel. It was around that time that a few mutual friends introduced her to the love of her life and best friend, Fred Aguilar. They would marry on May 19, 1961 and later on welcome their 3 children. Juanita was a devoted wife and mother to her kids, as the family would spend most of their early years at numerous school sporting events, along with weekends and summers spent fishing at the lake. As her family grew with two bonus daughters and a son, her devotion grew as well to all the grandchildren who know her most lovingly as Nana. As a devout Catholic, she was a woman strong in her faith and shared her love for God with others through her involvement at the family’s longtime church, Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Her involvement in the church included teaching CCD classes, distributing the Eucharist, and being an active member of the Cursillistas and The Legion of Mary, among other things. 

Juanita will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 63 years, Fred; children, Amanda and her husband, Cesar Cordova of Midland, Texas; Tony and his wife, Lisa; and Andrew and his wife, Susana, both of Crane, Texas; sisters, Mary Rodriguez of Odessa, Texas; and Josie and her husband, Joe Moreno of Crane, Texas; 9 grandchildren: Cory, Chad, Chris, Cody, Maritza, Angela, Jessica, Arik, and Axander; 14 great grandchildren: Kylor, Pacer, Aubri, Andree, Hayli, Landri, Daisy, Jhett, Ames, Sofia, Everly, Asher, Ridge, and Cooper; and one great, great grandchild, Wyatt; as well as numerous extended family members and friends. 

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Consuelo Molina; in-laws, Rosa and Tomas Aguilar; aunt and uncle, Manuela and Raul Sanchez; and brother, Jesus “Moe” Molina. 

A viewing with the family will be held on Monday, March 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be held from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Crane, Texas. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church with Father Kumar officiating. Burial services to follow at Crane County Cemetery. 

Pallbearers for the service will be Cory Aguilar, Chad Aguilar, Chris Aguilar, Cody Aguilar, Walter Cuellar, Arik Aguilar, and Axander Aguilar. 

The family wishes to send a special thank you to Juanita’s caregiver, Maribel Morado, and to all the nurses and aids with Interim Home Healthcare and Hospice for the loving care of our mom and nana. 

A woman of kindness, compassion, and service, she touched countless lives, all while making a home for her family. Her home was one of laughter and reminiscing; with kids and grandkids alike running around, while the smell of freshly made tortillas filled the rooms; with tears and a never-ending ambience of love flowing through the hallways. Every day we’ll come to pray that your eternal home is as divine as the home you helped build for your family here on Earth; May God embrace you in His Arms and welcome you safely Home. 

If you wish to make a donation, please make an online gift in memory of Juanita Aguilar to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org