Aneita Ortiz-Cedeño

Aneita Ortiz-Cedeno, a devoted mother, healer, and organizer for child welfare, poverty alleviation, and mental health; passed away peacefully, next to her weenie dog, Skye, on July 30, 2025, at the age of 54. Her life was a fierce testament to service and resilience. To know her was to witness love in motion.

Born and raised in Emeryville, California, Aneita went on to attend St. Leo University and Fresno State. She answered a lifelong calling to nurture people in crisis. She served as God’s hands and feet — as a guardian at Connections emergency youth shelter, an outreach coordinator at the Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation, and a holistic community resource provider with Communities in Schools in Rockport.

After hours, Aneita also served as the volunteer coordinator for Adopt-a-Beach at Sunset Lake, and the founder of B.R.A.T.S. (Being Responsible and Teaching Service), a youth-lead volunteer organization which won a Presidential Medal of Volunteer Service and reflected her dedication to cultivating younger generations.

Aneita is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Jaylenne Ortiz-Cedeno; her mother, Lois Parks; her father, Willie Parks; and her brothers, Jayvonce Parks and Gregory Reed.

She is survived by her children, Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeno, Keiarra Ortiz-Cedeno, and Jvon Ortiz-Cedeno; her fur-baby Skye, her ex-husband, Johnny Ortiz-Cedeno; her sisters, Lawanda Parks, DeAngela Parks, LaQuette Parks, and Crystal Parks; and her brothers, Joshua Parks, Christopher Parks, and Jesse Reed.

Aneita touched countless lives. Her legacy is a call to each of us — to carry a piece of the torch she once bore with such grace, and in doing so, continue to bring light to the places she once illuminated. May she rest in the peace she so freely gave to others

Service times listed below.