Juana Mercedes Perez's Obituary
Juana Mercedes (Cervera) Perez passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday, February 8th, 2025.
She was born in Ranchuelo, Cuba, on August 21st, 1933. She met the love of her life, Pedro, whom she married at 16.
As the Cuban Revolution began to crescendo, on February 2nd, 1957, she and her son Pete immigrated to the United States, following Pedro. They lived in Tampa, FL for six years and had two more children, William and Eduardo. En route to New Jersey, the Perez family wound up in Jacksonville after their car broke down. It was after this fate that Mercedes would reside in Florida for the rest of her life, eventually relocating to Miami and giving birth to her fourth son, Rafael.
She loved any creative projects that involved her hands, but her favorite was to sew, with her projects spanning from wedding and bridesmaid dresses to Halloween costumes.
Her warmth was revealed not only in the cafe con leche she’d make but in all acts of service. In her later years, she deepened her relationship with Jesus Christ, visits to the grocery store lottery counter were routine, and her favorite pastime became curling up on the couch to marathons of Family Feud. Her spunky spirit will be dearly missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Pedro. She is survived by her four sons, Pete (Betty) Perez, William (Melissa) Perez, Eduardo Perez, and Rafael (Marlene) Perez. In addition, her six grandchildren are Carlos, Billy, Briana, Miranda, Jordan, Bryan, and Jack, as well as seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Mercedes’s memory by donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Graveside service will take place on Saturday, February 15th, 2025 at: Caballero Rivero Dade South
Section 1.
What’s your fondest memory of Juana?
What’s a lesson you learned from Juana?
Share a story where Juana's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Juana you’ll never forget.
How did Juana make you smile?
