Rachel Marie Arana

Rachel Marie Jones Arana of McCamey, Texas, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2008, and joined her cousin Martin Anthony Arana and her Aunt Mary Margaret Arana in Heaven in the presence of the Lord. Rachel passed away at Rankin Memorial Hospital following a brief hospitalization for a viral infection and dehydration that?compounded with congenital heart disease?resulted in her untimely death.
In Rachel's eight years on earth?as a resident of Texas and New Jersey?she profoundly impacted the lives of everyone with whom she came into contact. She was born in Stephenville, Texas on September 11, 1999, and leaves a long-lasting and profound impression.
Rachel was the daughter of Raul C. and Vicky Jones Arana of McCamey, Texas. Rachel was Daddy's princess and he describes her as always being so eager to learn and to experience life to the fullest. Rachel was born with a life-threatening heart affliction and other health problems that introduced her newborn life to three heart surgeries. Raul and Vicky honorably, lovingly and diligently raised their miracle daughter through illness and health. Rachel loved her brother, 7-year old Luke, who told his Daddy upon learning that Rachel would not be returning from the hospital or to her earthly home, "Yea! We're going to have a party because Rachel's in Heaven with Jesus!" Luke deeply loved his big sister because they played games and sports together and because Rachel would give him a snack and helped take care of him. Rachel and Luke immensely enjoyed attending Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church of McCamey, and Rachel on Monday wrote special notes to her teachers Kristy Hazlewood, Tiffany Crossland and Courtney Gunnells, thanking them for teaching her.
Rachel was an intelligent, well-behaved and lively girl whose smile lit up the world. Her favorite color was yellow and she truly was the sunshine that warmed everyone's hearts. Rachel was called "Mija" and "Rae" by cousin Rebekah, who was preparing Rachel to become a McCamey Junior High Badger basketball player and cheerleader. Rachel was a quick-study, quietly observing and assessing, and then springing into action to do her homework, learn a new cheer or basketball move, or sing a new song. Her elementary school teacher, DeDe Allen, shared that Rachel was any teacher's dream student and that Rachel was a joy to teach.
In spite of her ongoing medical challenges, Rachel loved to swim with her brother Luke and cousins and was one of the lifeguards' favorite swimmers at the McCamey Pool. Tiffani Holguin, Kaleigh and Keelin Wiley, Taty Gonzalez, Stacy Bradford were impressed by this energetic girl who swam and exercised vigorously and never complained about any pain or discomfort. Rachel was taught several swimming tips by former lifeguard Jennifer Bueno, as well as basketball maneuvers at church by cousin John and friend Chris Ortiz.
Rachel loved her Nintendo WII baseball and tennis games and was a fierce competitor. At Grandma Mary and Grandpa Joe's house, she was most comfortable with the controller firmly in her hands and her head almost covered up by a camouflage military cap?once belonging to Desert Storm veteran Uncle Robert Arana?and which Rachel absconded from cousin John. She took on any challenge and worked hard to master any chore, becoming frustrated if she didn't succeed. Rachel was an honor student who enjoyed the Boxcar Gang books, Captain Underpants series, and the Babysitters Club books. She was Boo from the Monsters Inc. movie, Daddy was Sully and Vicky was Mike's girlfriend. Mom Vicky tearfully shared that Rachel loved animals and her menagerie of furry friends included Jackson, Daisy, Thumper, Donita, Boots, Socks, and Duchess.
Rachel spent many happy days at Granny's, Charlotte Jones, and regularly walked across the street to check on her buddy and pal, and for a snack. This special relationship enjoyed by Grandmother and Granddaughter was a joy to see because around Granny, Rachel was such a mature young lady. Granny Charlotte was one of Rachel's most devoted fans and supporters, and, along with family members and friends, was there to witness Rachel hit a homerun to win a key game last year as a member of the Cubs minor league baseball team. Rachel played third base and left field the past two seasons for the Cubs, and worked hard at what Coach Kelly Lynch taught her to do in her positions.
Her ultimate Coach was Daddy, who walked onto the field, coaching her and making sure she performed to the best of her ability.
Rachel is survived by her parents Raul & Vicky, her brother Luke and brother Thomas Arana of Ft. Worth, her sister Esther Arana of Crane, by her Maternal Grandparents Elmer and Charlotte Jones of McCamey, Texas, Uncle Ray and Aunt Jennifer Jones of Lake Dallas, Texas, Aunt Patty of College Station, Texas; by her Paternal Grandparents Joe and Mary Arana of McCamey, Titi Rose Mary and Uncle Domingo Luna of Austin, Uncle Joe and Titi Nellie Arana of Austin, Uncle Martin and Titi Betty Arana of McCamey, Titi Mary Martha Arana of McCamey, Titi Mary Lou and Uncle Alan Cherry of Harlingen, Uncle Robert and Titi Diana Arana of Austin, Titi Mary Lupe Arana of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Titi Eva and Uncle Joe Perrin of Grandview, and Uncle Adam and Titi Tonya Arana of Phoenix, Arizona; by cousins Roman Padilla of College Station, Nicole and Jaime Morales of Odessa, Analeicia Arana of Austin, Crystal Arana of Phoenix, AZ, John Gabriel Arana of Hobbs, New Mexico, Joshua Arana of Hobbs, John Arana-Cook and Rebekah Arana-Cook of McCamey, Lauren Cherry of Harlingen, Kristin Hendricks-Arana of Austin, Lauren Katherine Hendricks-Arana of Corpus Christi, EJ Perrin and Jordan Perrin of Grandview, Isaiah Arana and Alex Arana of Phoenix, Arizona and Jozlyn Arana of Crane and numerous relatives in McCamey, Odessa and Alpine.
The funeral service will be held Friday, July 11, 2008, at First Baptist Church of McCamey, at 2 p.m., with graveside service at Resthaven Cemetery.