“I am confident of this one thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 1:6

On July 9, 2020, Juanita Williamson completed her earthly assignment and went home to be with the Lord.  Born Juanita Johnson on April 22, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, Juanita was the only child of Madge Johnson who preceded her in death. Juanita joined Mt. Pisgah CME Church in Memphis and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. At Mt. Pisgah, Juanita met Robert L. Williamson, Jr. (also a native Tennessean). They were united in holy matrimony on November 11, 1961 with Reverend D.W. Browning officiating.

Juanita graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis in 1955. She then attended Lemoyne College where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Juanita began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Memphis, Tennessee Public School System where she taught first grade for three years. Eventually, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio and continued to teach first grade at Doan Elementary School and, later, Elmira Elementary. Juanita retired from the Cleveland Public School System in 1993. Post retirement, she supervised student teachers through the Department of Education, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Juanita was a faithful servant in the house of God. She joined Lane Metropolitan CME Church in 1963. There she served as Director of Christian Education for eight years, President of the Missionary Society for six years, President of Stewardess Board 1 for nine years, and a member of the Anita L. Burns Missionary Circle.

In addition to her local church service, Juanita was Secretary of the Annual Conference Missionary Society for eight years. At the church Connection level, she was appointed Delegate to the Women’s Missionary Council Quadrennial Assembly 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003.

Among her professional affiliations, Juanita was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Delta Kappa, Alpha Psi Chapter.  In February 2006, Phi Delta Kappa presented her with the (Then and Now) Best of the Best African American Educator award.

Juanita had an artistic touch and did everything with excellence. Friends recall her impeccable style, gentle smile, and openheartedness.

Juanita leaves to cherish her memory devoted husband Robert L. Williamson, Jr., cousin Frank Gary (Detroit, MI), lifelong friend Judy Edwards (Memphis, TN).  She also leaves to cherish her memory adopted family, Loreal Moore and her two beautiful children, Eden and Emory.  Special acknowledgment and appreciation are also extended to Juanita’s caregiver Pat Hall.

Robert would like to extend a very special thanks to his goddaughters Dr. Judy Stewart (Suffolk, VA) and Joi Taylor Powell, Esq. (Shaker Heights, OH) who have walked with him through every step of Juanita’s extended illness and passing.  “I could not have done this without their spiritual, physical and emotional support.”