Obituary of Julia Gonzalez

Our beautiful "Grandma Julie", as she was lovingly known, went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2020 at the age of 90 years old. She was surrounded by her family in prayer, love, and song. Julia was born during the Great Depression in 1930 on a farm outside Seguin, Texas as one of the eldest of 20 children born to Maria de Jesus Fraga Orozco and Don Agustin Ponce Orozco. Her childhood years were spent in Valle Hermoso, a town in Mexico co-founded by her family. She loved art, music, dancing, sewing, cooking, gardening, writing, storytelling, and sharing her faith in God, the "King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Glory" (Psalm 24:10).

Julia found her faith as a young woman and spent most of her adult life as a Christian minister, devoting herself to studying and teaching the Bible. With her late husband, she co-pastored Templo Elim for 10 years in Brownsville, Texas. Together until his death, they ministered to the poor. In 1989, she relocated to Austin where she co-founded the city’s first chapter of the global women’s ministry, Damas En Fuego. She provided hundreds of women in the area with a weekly program for mentoring, prayer, and teaching in Spanish. She also provided longtime ministry for several area nursing homes.

In 1995, she fulfilled her lifelong goal of earning a theological degree from Templo Sinai Bible College.   In 2000, she was inducted into the Board of Elders of the Morris Cerullo Worldwide Ministry for decades of service.

Grandma Julie didn't need social media to minister to the lost and broken hearted, she had the Holy Spirit. Between a multitude of phone calls, handwritten notes, and visits, she rejoiced in her anointing as a "prayer warrior" ministering until the end. To family, friends, and strangers in need of Christ's love and grace, she was never too busy to share God's plan of salvation, redemption, and sanctification. 

Named by her father after his favorite flower, "Bella Julia," she began studying God's word with Mama Vita and Papa Pepe, her paternal grandparents in Mexico. Among her favorite childhood memories were day trips by donkey to a crystalline river on Good Fridays. There, she discovered the power of prayer and reflection.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restoreth my soul." (Psalm 23: 1-3)

Julia's love of God's word included an appreciation of a broad range of praise music ranging from Spanish Coritos (string of short hymns) to Handel's Messiah to Hank Williams' country music, I'll Fly Away and Ron Kenoly's Ancient of Days. Her contralto voice and tambourine were never far away.

She credited the Book of Psalms for introducing her to the majesty, power, and truth of God's character, especially in Psalm 91 which would be the last Psalm she recited before her passing.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Psalm 91:1-2

A Proverbs 31 Woman, Grandma Julie taught Spanish speaking women what she had learned throughout her Christian walk. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

With every passing year, through trials that both tested as well as strengthened her faith, Grandma Julie's gratitude for God's mercy continued to multiply.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

Although Grandma Julie will be missed dearly, those who were touched by her devotion to the Lord can rejoice that like the Apostle Paul, she has finished the race.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day-and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2Tim: 4:6-8

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fernando Gonzalez, Infant Baby Boy Gonzalez, and 16 siblings. She is survived by her six children, Mona Gonzalez, Leticia Guadiana (Roberto), Fernando Gonzalez, Jr. (Martina), Jorge Gonzalez, Alex Gonzalez (Kristin), and Steve Gonzalez (Wendy), as well as 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her younger sisters of San Antonio, Texas, Gloria Nanez (Guadalupe), Jovita Villareal (Leandro, deceased), Maria de Jesus Trevino (Trinidad),  Rosa Elia Jimenez (Antonio), a sister-in-law Isabel Orozco (Agustin Fraga, deceased), and a sister in Brownsville, Texas, Maria Gonzalez (Gonzalo), and hundreds of nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2020, with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 S. 1st St. Austin, TX. A Celebration of Julia’s life will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2020, also at Mission Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Onion Creek Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested for River City Youth Foundation at P.O. Box 17923, Austin, TX 78760 or online at www.rivercityyouth.org. 

Due to the Coronavirus /  COVID-19 Restrictions from the City of Austin,

capacity levels are restricted at funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries.

Each person entering the funeral home, church, and cemetery will be required to wear a mask

and to practice social distancing of 6 feet or more.   If you are ill or are concerned about the virus,

it is recommended that you not attend services.

The family is so grateful to everyone for their understanding, love, and support

during this very difficult time.