Juanita S. Williams

Mrs. Juanita (Slavens) Williams passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 in Buffalo, Missouri. She was born June 3, 1926 in Roach, Missouri, the daughter of Freeman H. Slavens and Oma (Clemmons) Slavens. She was united in marriage on August 27, 1950 to Samuel B. Williams. Juanita graduated from Tunas High School, Southwest Baptist University, Missouri State University, Drury University and the University of Central Missouri. She began teaching at the age of 16 in a one-room school in Ira, Missouri. Juanita continued to educate children for the next forty-five years in Seaside, California and Marshall, Missouri. She was one of the first educators selected for training in Little Rock, Arkansas when the Head Start program was implemented in 1965. She also helped many adults receive their GED in the Adult Education Program. Juanita was a member of many professional organizations. Juanita was an expert seamstress and enjoyed quilting, crocheting and many other handcrafts. She also enjoyed gardening and canning. She researched genealogy and became a Daughter of the American Revolution. Caring for her family and providing assistance for those in need were dear to her heart. Juanita was baptized and became a member of the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church. She regularly attended Urbana Baptist Church where she taught Vacation Bible School. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her brothers, John and Gary Slavens. She is survived by her three children: daughters, Connie Studyvin (David) Lee's Summit, and Joyce of St. Louis and one son Stephen (Diane) of Wentzville: two grandsons, Scott and Logan Williams, Wentzville; two sisters, Betty Swanigan, Marshall and Mary Rucker, Tunas. Four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law: Jan Williams of Rogersville, Lorene Slavens of Camdenton, Alberta Slavens of Lebanon, Opal and Lee Russell of Urbana and many nieces, nephews and friends and her pet, Katie. Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 22nd at Ten A.M. in the Montgomery-Viets Chapel with Bro. Claire Reed officiating. A duet of Linda Rooffener and Ramona Vance will sing "Uncloudy Day" and "Amazing Grace" accompanied by Joann Adams. Casketbearers will be David Slavens, Freeman Slavens, Tim Slavens, David Studyvin, B. J. Williams, and Jerry Williams. Honorary Escorts will be Diane Williams, Scott Williams, Logan Williams, Monte Rucker, John Slavens, Samuel Williams, Randy Williams, Curtis Adams and Joe Rooffener. Burial will follow in the Mission Ridge Cemetery, Urbana, under the direction of the Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8 P.M.

Juanita S. Williams

June 3, 1926 - May 19, 2015