Jocelyn Nungaray remembered at funeral as ‘beautiful soul’ who made difference, brought happiness to everyone

HOUSTON — Jocelyn Nungaray, the 12-year-old Houston girl whose death touched the heart and soul of this city, is being laid to rest today following a private funeral. A public celebration of the life that ended much too soon will follow the burial. 

Dozens of family members and friends gathered at Earthman’s Resthaven on the northside to remember Jocelyn and say goodbye. State and local leaders are also there, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Cecilia Abbott, the wife of Gov. Greg Abbott and Mayor John Whitmire. 

“We’re sad but we’re outraged and angry that this could happen in our community,” the mayor said.

He said today isn’t about the way Jocelyn died or the men accused of killing her and dumping her in a north Houston creek. Instead, it’s a celebration of her short life.

“This child made a difference on everyone she met,” Whitmire said. “We’re celebrating the impact that she’s had on each and every one of us. And we’re committing on all of our parts to recognize the happiness she brought to her family and friends.”

The mayor called Jocelyn a “dynamic young person” who loved animals, dancing, and her family, including the 5-year-old brother who looked up to her.

Jocelyn’s great-aunt shared favorite memories of the child she adored. 

“I’ve been so blessed to have been there when she first came into this world, took her first breath, and I was with her the day before she took her last breath,” she said through tears. 

She said Jocelyn was always a happy baby with bright eyes, a big, beautiful smile and beautiful curly hair. She said as Jocelyn got older she loved to read.

“Anytime we were at Walmart or any store that girl would make a beeline for the books,” she said.

A family friend who spoke said Jocelyn and her mother, Alexis, lived with her for a while and they were like family. She remembered Jocelyn as a “beautiful soul.”

“I got to see her roll out of her bedroom on her Hoverboard and run into the wall,” she said. “One of my favorite memories is she loved to bake and she’d sit in the kitchen with us and she’d make the biggest messes.”

As the service wrapped up, Dan Patrick and Cecilia Abbott made a special presentation to Jocelyn’s grieving mother. 

Houston businessman Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale also attended the funeral. At a vigil last Friday, Whitmire announced that he and his wife would be covering the funeral expenses for Jocelyn’s family. McIngvale is also hosting the celebration of life at Gallery Furniture at 3 p.m. The public is invited.

Two men remain jailed on capital murder charges in Jocelyn’s death. 

Houston police said Franklin Peña, 26, and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, met the victim and lured her to the bridge where they tied her up, killed her and dumped her in the creek to “erase DNA evidence.”

They were arrested at the apartment they shared, which is near where Jocelyn lived and also where she died.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the two “illegally entered the U.S. without inspection, parole or admission by a U.S. immigration officer on an unknown date and at an unknown location.” ICE said they are being held on immigration detainers at the Harris County Jail.