When Juanita Hale walked into the room, those in her company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Juanita was and how she impacted those around her. Juanita was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Juanita wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Juanita was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.
Juanita was born on January 27, 1922 at home in Blytheville, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Willie and Georgia Hill. Juanita was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas. While some who knew Juanita might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Juanita was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.
Juanita was raised with six siblings. She had three younger brothers, Willie, Howard and Leslie and three younger sisters, Betty, Hazel and Violet. Juanita was very accepting and supportive of her family. She was perceived as the central person in her family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Juanita was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Juanita well in her adult life and, along with her wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, drew the admiration of many who knew her.
On June 14, 1975 Juanita married Paul Elvin Hale at the Nazarene Church of Oxnard, California. Juanita's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. Juanita was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.
Juanita was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Juanita, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a game in the Hale home. Juanita's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Juanita was blessed with two children: Glenda Jean Holleman and Linda Kay Holleman. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, William Potter, Michael Potter, Christopher Potter, Danny Holleman and Christine Griffin.
Juanita was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was as a mother and homemaker. She was employed as a Harvest Picker for many years. Juanita was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize her. Juanita had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Juanita's fellow workers saw her as a supporter and a mentor.
Because Juanita loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were canning, cooking, caring for the needy and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Juanita had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of her favorite pastimes. However, Juanita's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.
Throughout her life, Juanita was actively involved in professional and community organizations. She was compassionate, accommodating and quick to move into action. Always able to build a consensus, Juanita seemed to be the person smack dab in the middle of things, working to get things done. Those who had the opportunity to work with Juanita usually agreed that when you were involved in an organization with her, it was as entertaining as anything you could imagine. Throughout her later years, Juanita was an active member of the Eastern Star, Amberants and the Nazarene Church.
Because Juanita was constantly in the center of things and where the action was, she always seemed willing to join in and help, regularly getting involved in community activities. Juanita's gift of planning and improvisation, along with a talent for rallying support, made her a great asset. Juanita found new ways of getting things done in order to help make just about every activity more efficient and enjoyable. Juanita was an active member of several community groups, serving on committees preparing food for the needy and as treasurer for the church.
Juanita was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was a member of the Nazarene Church for 30 years. She was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and she used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for her beliefs.
Juanita was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorite's was an adopted stray cat named Kitty Tom, who was a best friend for 15 years.
Juanita Hale passed away on May 7, 2010 at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, Banning, CA. She suffered a stroke. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Brownen; her grandchildren, William Potter, Michael Potter, Christopher Potter, Danny Holleman and Christine Griffin; her great grandchildren, Andrew Potter, Alex Potter, Kelsey Potter, David Potter, Ryan Potter, Brian Potter, Wayne Griffin, Scott Griffin, Kortney Griffin, Danielle Holleman and Jason Holleman, and her great great grandchildren, Iris Potter, Skylar Davidson, Jonathan Griffin and Jordan Holleman. Services were held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 13, 2010, at the Church of the Nazarene, 500 N. 8th St., Banning, CA. Juanita was laid to rest in Stewart Sunnyslope Cemetery, Beaumont, CA.
There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Juanita. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Juanita Hale for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Juanita was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.
Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California
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