Juanita Ballard

Born on May 29, 1940, Juanita was the third of six children and the oldest girl. She was born at home by a midwife in Avinger, TX and lived in Jasper, TX before her family moved to Houston. Being the oldest of the girls, she was responsible for helping take care of them, including getting them ready for school, feeding them and teaching them how to cook as they got older. She left high school during her sophomore year to help support her family, a testament to her selflessness and love for her family. At 17, she met and married her beloved husband Charles, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love and devotion. They were married just shy of 51 years at the time of his passing in 2008.

After raising her two sons and daughter, Juanita returned to her education, earning her GED and attending classes at San Jacinto Junior College, all while working a full-time job, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Her career was in the accounting field as an accountant, working at Texas Children’s Hospital at a time when there were great breakthroughs in medicine. She had the privilege of meeting Dr DeBakey, the famous heart surgeon in Houston. She was also working at the hospital during the time when the “boy in the bubble” was born and being treated.

In her free time, she enjoyed planting in her garden, especially her rose bushes. In her earlier years she loved making ceramics for her home, family and friends. She dabbled in sewing a bit, including making her daughter and friends choir dresses. She was known for cooking her signature dishes, including her tasty homemade gravy, cornbread dressing, chicken and dumplings, and delicious banana pudding. All which have been passed down to her children.

Juanita had a passion for travel and loved going on cruises to explore new places. Among traveling around the United States, Juanita and her husband traveled to the Philippines and took cruises to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St Thomas and St John. Her dream was to travel to Hawaii. Juanita treasured family above all else, and her dedication shone through as she organized the annual Bennett family reunions, bringing generations together and creating lasting memories.

She leaves behind her children, who were the light of her life, Randy and Dianne. She is also survived by so many family and friends who forever remember her warmth, strength, and the love she shared so generously.

A visitation for Juanita will be held Monday, June 30, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service is scheduled to follow and begin promptly at 2:00 PM, in Brookside's Grand Oak Chapel. Burial will take place in Brookside Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Miller, Ryan Miller, Connor Schott, Zachary Schott, James Ballard, and Adam Maldonado; with JD Brahm, Bryndon Schott, and Jon Diego Maldonado serving as honorary pallbearers.

Juanita’s legacy of kindness, perseverance, and unwavering love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.