Jelyssa Marie Winans

Jelyssa Marie Winans, 23, of Lakewood, Colorado was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on March 24, 2014. She was born to Bobbie Winans and Michael Rusnak, Jr. on June 22, 1990 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Jelyssa spent her early childhood in Winslow, Arizona. She and her family moved to Colorado in 2005. Jelyssa attended West High School and graduated from Florence Crittenton High School with honors. She received a Bachelors Degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Jelyssa's goal in life was to bring comfort and joy to all she came in contact with. Seeing you smile or laugh gave her greatest pleasure. She was our redheaded angel walking on earth; now a guardian angel in God's growing army. The time came for her to spread her beautiful wings and fly. She is still the same kind soul with a new mission. We can all be assured that she is still watching over us.

Jelyssa is survived by the lights of her life, son Antonio and daughter Mia, and the love of her life, Anthony Castillo; mother, Bobbie Winans of Denver and father, Michael (Karen) Rusnak, Jr. of Winslow, AZ; brother, Brandon, and sisters, Ileana and Sofia of Denver, brother Michael Wilson in the US Armed Forces; great-grandmother, Faye Ellison of Winslow, AZ; maternal grandmother, Joyce (Richard) Oldenburg of Deming, NM; paternal grandmother, Marlene Rusnak of Winslow, AZ. She also leave her aunt, Terri Moncada, cousins Kyleen and Shiloh of Atersia, NM. She is also survived by three great aunts, many cousins and many life long friends.

Jelyssa was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Garry Winans and Michael Rusnak; great-grandfathers, Norman Ellison and Ben Winans and great-grandmother, Roberta Winans, all of Winslow, AZ.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Newcomer Funeral Home in Lakewood. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 1st with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and services at 11:00 a.m. at West Metro Chapel, 901 S. Sheridan Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80226.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider donations to the Jelyssa Winans Memorial Account at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Committal Services in Winslow, AZ will be announced at a later date.