Lydia “Lily” J. Juarez Perez was born on April 28, 1935, in San Bernardino, California, to Manuel and Luz (Arriola) Juarez. Lily passed peacefully on September 28, 2026, at the age of 91, following a life centered on faith, family, service, and caring for others.

Lily was one of thirteen children born into the Juarez family and came from a large family with a proud tradition of military service. Throughout her life, she remained active in her community. She worked at local polling places during elections and was employed by the clothes closet.

Lily loved sewing and tending her gardens, but much of her life was devoted to the people around her. She helped raise and care for generations of her family, opening her home and her heart whenever she was needed. She taught her grandchildren to pray, study, learn, and enjoy life. Through both the significant and ordinary moments of life, she showed her family what it meant to love, serve, and care for one another faithfully.

Lily was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Y. Perez, who passed away on January 24, 2023.

Lily was the mother of four children: Christina “Tina” St. John, Gabriel (Jennifer) Perez, Carlos Perez, and Edward Perez.

Her grandchildren include Dawn (Matt) Malinowski, Stacy (Doug) Hoehne, Loretta (Jamie) Dawson, Heather Jones, Kellie (Dan) Lohmeyer, Michael Perez, Ashlee (Jake) McCarthy, Ruben Hayward, Karlee (Andrew) Ramones, Sean St. John, Miriah Roberts, and Kylee Perez.

Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren, Cory Lohmeyer, Alyisha (Matthew) Allen, Brittany, Zackery, and Weselly Lauderdale, Kennedy Ramones, Harrison and Lincoln McCarthy, and Amanda, Axle, and Zephyr Allen; and her great-great-grandchildren, Athena Killam and Arlo Pérez.

More than any list of names, Lily’s legacy lives in the generations of family she loved and helped raise, the gardens she tended, the things she created with her hands, the community she served, and the countless ordinary moments through which she showed her love. Her life demonstrated that faithful service is often found in simply caring for the people God places before us.

During her final evening, Lily was surrounded by the familiar words of faith that had accompanied her throughout her life. Among the last hymns sung to her were How Great Thou Art and Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness. A short time later, her earthly life came to an end.

Her family gives thanks to God for the many years they were given with Lily and takes comfort in the promises of Christ and the hope of the resurrection.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23