Juanita Ojeda Acosta, age 99, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 2, 2022. Juanita was born on June 24, 1923, to Natividad and Gregoria (Galaviz) Ojeda in Garfield, Texas. Her family relocated from Austin to San Benito, Texas in 1942 after migrating to the Rio Grande Valley for years. At the age of 46, Juanita married the love of her life Daniel Acosta in 1966. She was a loving wife of 39 years to Daniel until his death in 2005. Although Juanita did not have children of her own, later in life she met Richard Ratliff, as she nicknamed Guero, and they quickly became mother and son. She was embraced as his “Ama” by his family. Juanita enjoyed family gatherings, celebrations, and every day visits by her new found grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Juanita will always be remembered by her family and friends as being an energetic, feisty, petite firecracker. She treasured the many friendships she formed over the years. She was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas. She enjoyed trips to Progreso, Mexico and the VFW in Harlingen with her niece, Margaret Acosta Munoz, where she would dance the night away. Juanita was an avid gardener, enjoyed watching short films of Vicente Fernandez and other Spanish musicians, as well as shopping. She was unafraid and steady in her Catholic beliefs that guided her through her entire life. She was highly regarded for her fierce independence, as she would say “because I am number one big shot.” In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Acosta, 8 siblings, Jacinta Acosta, Maria Galabiz, Manuela Rodriguez, Fidelia Acosta, Beatrice Ramirez, Felix Ojeda, Joe Ojeda, and Eustacio Ojeda. Juanita is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as Richard Ratliff and family. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her. There simply are not enough words to describe the tireless love and care shown to Juanita by Richard Ratliff and his family, her longtime provider Cuca Vargas, and friend Micaela Guillen. The family also wishes to acknowledge and thank all staff from Greater Valley Hospice and Las Fronteras Adult Care. In addition, the family wishes to express their gratitude to Rosalba's Flower Shop for the casket spray. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. Funeral services held Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 10 a.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas. Burial will be on Friday, December 9, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Assumption Chapel Mausoleum Cemetery, 3650 S IH-35, in Austin, Texas. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Abel Acosta, Abel Acosta Jr., Richard Ratliff, Richard Ratliff III, Jason Williams, and Ramiro Gutierrez. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Juanita Ojeda Acosta at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematory, 395 S. Sam Houston Blvd., San Benito, Texas 78586.