Mrs. Ponniaya
Juno Aruba Jothi Ponnaiya, 49, of Rockdale went from the arms of her loving family to the arms of Jesus on Aug. 17, 2026. It was a four-year bat t le wit h cancer, which declined rapidly in the last couple of months, that ushered her into the sweet presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Juno was an amazing woman of God, treasured wife, adoring mom, beloved sister, honoring daughter and well-loved friend. She will be greatly missed, as she has been greatly loved.
She was born and raised in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. When younger, she participated in many sports and loved sports since her father was a coach. She was the team captain for throwball and cricket in India. Juno was an avid sports fan in the U.S. also.
Juno attended nursing school and worked as a registered nurse in India and in the United States. Her most cherished work was in the Food & Nutrition Research Lab at Texas A&M University in College Station. She took pride in her work and cared for her patients’ physical and spiritual needs.
While battling cancer, Juno also graduated summa cum laude with her master’s degree in public health.
Juno lived a life marked by deep faith and tireless devotion to God. Her relationship with Jesus Christ was the foundation of who she was, guiding her decisions, shaping her character, and filling her life with purpose and joy. She lived her faith to the end. Though admitted to the hospital for care, she spoke boldly about her faith and ministered to the nurses and other staff caring for her, testifying about her faith and giving them hope in Christ.
Juno faithfully served at Victory Baptist Church in Cedar Park and Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Rockdale for many years, supporting children’s ministry and investing in young lives with kindness and consistency. She loved serving wherever needed and viewed opportunities to help others as opportunities to serve the Lord.
Juno was a devoted wife and a radiant presence whose joy could brighten any room.
In accordance with the traditions in India, she married Vijay Ponnaiya through an arranged marriage. Juno was the heart of her family and completely devoted to her sons, Jason and Aaron. Juno shared her love for Jesus with her sons both through teachings (daily memory verses) and love. Her goal was to teach her sons to love and serve God and His people in all the things they think, say, and do.
She ensured her cooking talents would continue by making a clear-to-follow recipe book for her sons and their future families. She told her sons that God would provide them with Godly wives with whom they can continue to serve Him, which is our purpose for being born.
Juno was a hardworking woman who rarely sat still. She ensured that her home was organized and clean and was a loving, peaceful home, where her family could flourish.
She cared for her friends, neighbors, and church family, always willing to help, encourage or serve whenever a need arose.
She was a great gardener, able to make plants flourish from small snippets or twigs.
She enjoyed singing for her Lord and Savior at church and learned to play the guitar.
She will be deeply missed by her husband, Vijay, and her sons, Jason and Aaron.
Juno was cherished by her father, Ponnuswamy Arumainayagam; mother, Pricilla Arumainayagam; sisters, Vesta and Diana; and her brother-in-law, Andrew Bukowski.
Juno is now joyfully reunited with her grandparents and her mother-inlaw, Selvarani Ponnaiya.
Juno also nurtured special relationships with her brothers-in-law, Paul, and wife Gowri, and Immanuel and wife Ramya; nieces Grace, Nova and Nyla; nephews Immanuel (Bubbles), Daniel and Nikko; several cousins, aunts, uncles, and chosen family who loved her and will miss her.
Services were held at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Rockdale on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
Juno loved live, flowering plants native to Texas more than cut flowers, but if you prefer, you can donate in Juno’s memory to the mission’s fund at Meadowbrook Baptist Church or at your home church.
Though our hearts are broken by her passing, she leaves behind the firm knowledge that she is in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She would encourage all of us to build a true relationship with Jesus Christ, the one and only True God of all creation.
Pallbearers were Jason Ponnaiya, Aaron Ponnaiya, Immanuel S. Ponnaiya, Immanuel R. Ponnaiya, Daniel Ponnaiya and Lawrence Perez.
Honorary pallbearers were Andrew Bukowski, Jerry Waggoner, Dennis Green, Irby McWilliams, Bill Jones and Ron Montgomery.