Page 4 - Juanita Barnes Celebration of Life

Her Story
To each life, there are seasons...
A Time to Be Born:
Juanita Constance Walden Barnes was born March 13, 1924, in Nansemond County (Holland), Virginia. She was the sixth child of eight children. Her father, Willis Weaver Walden, was a prominent farmer and contractor; and her mother, Ellen Brown Walden, a teacher.
A Time to Learn:
Juanita’s early years included being educated at the Nansemond County Training School in Holland, Virginia. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Hampton University (formerly Hampton Institute) in Hampton, VA; as well as a Master of Science in Adult Supervision from Tuskegee University, (formerly Tuskegee Institute) in Tuskegee, Alabama.
A Time to Love:
Juanita married the love of her life, Dr. Lee A. Barnes Sr., on September 26, 1953, and the lovebirds’ adventure was on! As a doctor, Lee often made house calls for patients who could not afford his services, and he was paid in
chickens, vegetables and eggs. They were a dedicated couple, always working together as a team. Oddly enough, Lee never found the time to learn to drive so Juanita would lovingly serve as his “chauffeur.”
A few years later, Lee went to Tuskegee, Alabama to complete his Residency at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, while Juanita remained in Virginia, teaching. They would take turns visiting each other but when his time was extended, she decided to join him in Alabama. They made a happy home there and in 1969, were blessed to adopt a son, Lee A. Barnes, Jr. (Andy). While there, Lee became the Chief of Staff of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital and Juanita enjoyed caring for their home and baby boy. Life was good until Lee’s untimely death on April 14, 1972. Death took him away from her, but not from her heart, mind and soul.
A Time to Work:
Juanita began her lengthy teaching career at Camptown Elementary School in Carrsville, Virginia. After Camptown, she went to teach at Georgie Tyler Elementary School which was later renamed Windsor Elementary. She taught at Windsor until it was time to join her husband in Alabama. After Lee’s death, Juanita and Andy remained in Alabama, where, on a full scholarship, she earned her Master’s Degree before returning home to Virginia in 1975. Juanita was ready to pick up where she left off with her teaching, so she returned to Windsor Elementary a short time after coming home.
Juanita immensely enjoyed the challenge of teaching. She found purpose in the gift she had for connecting with young people, and dedicated herself to that purpose. She used her gift in an uncompromising way to inspire and motivate her students to excel to their highest potential, which gave her great joy and happiness. Juanita remained at Windsor Elementary until she retired in 1989. She would later be honored for her years of service as a teacher by The Virginia Retired Teachers Association and by the Masons of Holland Lodge #256.
Juanita’s love for work also included being an expert seamstress as well as an excellent cook and hostess. Her favorite meals to prepare were spaghetti, meat loaf, pineapple coconut cake, sweet potato jacks and homemade rolls!
A Time for Church:
Juanita gave her life to Christ at a very young age when she joined her family church, Mt. Sinai Baptist. She was a very strong woman of faith with a generous love for her church. Over the years, she served as Vice President of the Senior Missionary Ministry, a member of the Pastor’s Aide Ministry, and a member of the 80+ Ministry. Additionally, she was a past member of the Senior Choir. Her favorite and “self-reserved” spot in church: Third pew, left side, end seat.