Refugio Jesusita Hernandez, 87, of Dawsonville, formerly of Montezuma, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.

She was born in Santa Barbara, Calif., 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 forever to treasured.

Survivors include her children, Silveria Herrera Ortiz, Javier Hernandez, Guadalupe Hernandez Sigman, Hilda Hernandez Jackson, Jaime Hernandez; three grandchildren, Robert Hernandez, Michael Hernandez, Gretchen Elizabeth Sigman; two sons-in-law, Dr. Ronnie Jackson, William Thomas Sigman, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Claudia Velasquez; caretaker, Edna Gail Cooper; various other relatives also survive.

A funeral mass was held Saturday, Aug. 22 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 714 North Dooly Street in Montezuma with the Fathers Bob Cushing and Lawrence Lucree officiating.

Interment followed in Bertha Dozier Memorial Park Cemetery in Montezuma.

Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cumming was in charge of the arrangements.