Juanita W. Barnes, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, to unite with her beloved husband, parents and other family members and friends. Born in Nansemond County, Suffolk, she was the daughter of the late Willis and Ellen Walden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Lee Andrell Barnes Sr.; two sisters, Adelaide W. Waters and Felicia W. Wallace; five brothers, the Rev. Gilmer Walden, Warrick Walden, Frank L. Walden, Allison Walden and Fletcher B. Walden.

Juanita’s early years included education at Nansemond County Training School, a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University (formerly Hampton Institute), and a master’s degree from Tuskegee University (formerly Tuskegee Institute), Tuskegee, Ala.

She taught at Georgie Tyler Elementary School (now Windsor Elementary School) and retired after 20 years. Some of her students visited her during her illness and thanked her for her dedication and her stern discipline. She was a member of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where she served as vice president of the Senior Missionary Ministry, Pastor’s Aide Ministry and as a past member of the Senior Choir.

Juanita was known for her love for her family. She was their heart, soul, essence and spirit. She claimed all of her nieces and nephews as “her babies.” She will always be remembered for her sense of humor, generosity and love for her friends. She was a strong woman of faith, as she endured many health issues during her past years of life. She kept her mind active by working crossword puzzles, watching television game shows and playing her favorite card games. Her illness confined her to the hospital and finally to East Pavilion Nursing Home, where she made friends with all the staff.

She also enjoyed her membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Suffolk, Pinochle Bugs and many other social clubs too numerous to name. She also volunteered for many years at Riddick’s Folly as a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program with the Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and was a lifetime member of the NAACP.

God blessed Juanita and her husband Lee with a handsome son, Lee A. Barnes Jr., who was her pride and joy. She adorned him with passion and praise. Along with her son, left to cherish her memory are her sisters-in-law, Ruby H. Walden, Vernell Walden and Sarah Jean Walden (whom she called her “baby sister”), many nieces and nephews, her godchildren, J. Pat Walden, Pamela A. Walden, Glen Walden and Ralph Reavis Jr., and many cousins and other friends.

An Ivy Beyond the Wall service by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will be performed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home Inc. followed by a visitation with family. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 6100 Holy Neck Road, Suffolk, with the Rev. Dr. William L. Lang, officiating. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery, and a reception will follow the interment. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.