Juanita S. Tumlinson

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Juanita Serrata Tumlinson entered into eternal rest on Saturday, the 13th of April 2024 surrounded by her family. 

Juanita was born in Brownsville, Texas on July 1, 1927. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Leon Tumlinson, Sr.; her parents, Jose Chapa Serrata and Librada Leal Serrata; her sisters Josefina Serrata Álvarez, Librada Serrata Ramirez, Margarita Serrata, and Irma Serrata Rodriguez; her brothers, Jose Serrata, Jr. and Felipe Serrata; and her daughters-in-law, Marisela Farías Chapa and Elaine Janene Tumlinson.

On June 6, 1948, she married the love of her life David Leon Tumlinson Sr. in Brownsville, Texas.  Together they had two children who survive them, David Leon Tumlinson, Jr. (Elaine Janene+) and Debra Jayne Lizarraga (Oscar). She is also survived by four grandchildren David Leon Tumlinson IV (Mariana), Sean Anthony Tumlinson (Stephanie), Oscar Lizarraga Jr. (Chirstin), and Elise Margarita Garza (Billy). In addition, she is also survived by eight great-grandchildren Ashley Janene Tumlinson, William David Garza, Matthew James Garza, Joshua Daniel Garza, Sarah Elise Garza, Sawyer Scott Tumlinson, Scottlyn Elaine Tumlinson, and Skylar Faye Tumlinson; and is also survived by a sister, Yvonne Serrata Azcona, and several nieces and nephews.

Juanita was always by her husband’s side, including supporting her husband, who was a corpsman in the U.S. Navy, and residing wherever he was stationed stateside.  In addition, her husband’s employment with the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and Convention Bureau for twenty-eight years allowed them to always serve their community and worked hard to make a difference in the city of Brownsville. Through the many years of their community participation, whether it be with the Brownsville Chamber, annual Charro Days events, the many travels to Mexico City as dignitaries from the city or traveling all over the state to bring conventions to the Brownsville area, she always felt the need to support her husband and her community and dedicated her life to providing for him and made that her “career”. Family was always first for her and of course, her pride and joys were all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart until her last days on this earth. They have truly gained an angel to always watch over them.    

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, the 17th of April 2024 between the hours of two o’clock in the afternoon and eight o'clock at night, with a prayer service to begin at half past six o'clock Wednesday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

A Graveside Service will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 18th of April 2024 within the Buena Vista Burial Park Mausoleum, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be David L. Tumlinson, IV, Oscar Lizárraga, Sr., Oscar Lizarraga, Jr., Billy Garza, Juan Armando Recio, and Sergio Rodriguez.

The family is grateful for the wonderful care given to her by the staff from Spanish Meadows of Brownsville, who provided her excellent care since 2011, and from Greater Hospice Care for the past two years.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.