Juanita Venable

Reverend Juanita Venable was born in Turin, GA on January 25, 1934. She was raised in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Dunbar High School. She was the daughter of the late Jim and Corill Young and was the third of nine children. She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age.

Juanita Venable was an ardent traveler with her husband Franklyn Venable for twenty years in the Armed Forces. After settling in California and seeking a church home, she was led by “Divine Intervention” to join the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church of which the legendary James Cleveland was pastor.

While diligently serving at Cornerstone, the Lord inspired Juanita Venable in 1976, to become the founder of the first African-American church in Simi Valley, CA, Second Missionary Baptist Church, of which the Reverend Willie M. Gray is pastor.

In 1980, Reverend Venable was ordained as a minister under Pastor James Cleveland. She attended L.I.F.E. Bible college and was the recipient of the prestigious Honorary Doctorate Degree from St. Stephens Educational Bible College in Los Angeles, CA. She was also a recipient of the Ventura County NAACP Chapter Service Award.

While fighting the good fight of faith, Reverend Venable took up yet another “cross” to follow Jesus. She not only founded a second congregation in Simi Valley, CA., Jehoshaphat Missionary Baptist Church, but was the pastor for seven years as well.

Holding to God’s unchanging hand and believing Him to use her to make a difference in other people’s lives, Reverend Venable began a mission in Haiti. This mission consisted of feeding over 200 children a day, and erecting a school and three churches bearing the name of Jehoshaphat.

Throughout her ministry, she served as an Associate Pastor at New Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church of which Reverend Eugene O. Bryant is pastor. She also hosted and produced a Christian Television Show, “The Light of the World,” where she interviewed various guests, preached, and brought the good news of Jesus Christ.

Juanita Venable is survived by her husband, Franklyn Venable, and her four children, Judge Sheila Venable-Myers, Fran Venable, Monica Venable, and Andrew Johnson. Her son in law, Delando Myers, grand children April Venable and Madison Johnson, great grandchild, Ava Venable-Shapiro, and living siblings Will D. Young, Mary Young, Oliver Young, and Richard Young, and a host of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her late siblings Booker Young, Minnie Young, Roosevelt Young, and Judy Young.