Refugio Jesusita Hernandez

Refugio Jesusita Hernandez, age 87 of Dawsonville, GA formally of Montezuma, Ga. passed away Thursday morning, August 20, 2009.

A funeral mass was held Saturday, Aug. 22 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 714 North Dooly Street in Montezuma with Father Bob Cushing and Father Lawrence Lucree officiating. Interment followed in Bertha Dozier Memorial Park Cemetery in Montezuma.

She was born in Santa Barbara, Ca. and raised in Mexico as a small child. She was married to the late Manuel Hernandez. They were the first Hispanic family to arrive in Montezuma, Ga. Her life was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a very spiritual person and a founder of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Montezuma. She also contributed a lot to her church. A very devoted Roman Catholic, she was also devoted to her gardening, traveling with her children, knitting and crocheting. Her memory will be forever treasured.

She is survived by her children, Silveria Herrera Ortiz, Javier Hernandez, Guadalupe Hernandez Sigman, Hilda Hernandez Jackson, Jaime Hernandez and three grandchildren, Robert Hernandez, Michael Hernandez and Gretchen Elizabeth Sigman; two son-in-laws, Dr. Ronnie Jackson and William Thomas Sigman, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Claudia Velasquez; Caretaker, Edna Gail Cooper.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.byarsfuneralhome.com.

Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Cumming, Georgia, 678-455-5815.