SEARCY — Juanita Nation Shirey, age 86,
joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Dare, and five step-children whom she dearly loved: Ella Allison (Bob), Dalton Shirey (Barbara), Ellona Griffin (Jerry), Aylene Simpson (Richard), Leo Carroll (Duane), and Richard Shirey; and her adored 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father Albert Franklin Terry, mother Iva Lokey, brother Albert Terry, sister Geneva Griffin, husband Jim Shirey, stepson Jim Shirey Jr., and her daughter, Benita Nation Wilkins.
Juanita spent the first part of her life in Lonoke County, where she grew up in Snake Island and later married her first husband, Louis Nation. She raised her daughters near Carlisle always leading by example with her faith, strength, patience, generosity, and love for others. Juanita was a very involved room mother and supporter in the Carlisle school system each year of her daughters’ attendance there. Together, Juanita and Louis owned and operated Nation’s Mercantile in the outlying community of Culler. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and taught her girls to love the Lord in that church. It was filled with people who loved her and whom she considered extended family for the remainder of her days.
Later in life, Juanita met and married the love of her life, Jim Shirey. He proceeded to place her on a pedestal where she belonged and so lovingly referred to her as “Ms. Shirey” or “Mrs. J”. She received the deep love and respect from him that she so deserved and she returned the favor. Their love was truly a rare commodity in this world. Jim immediately introduced Juanita to deer hunting and that was it. She became an avid sportswoman and always got her limit with Jim often bragging more about her kills than his own.
Juanita and Jim were members of Trinity Baptist Church in Searcy. She was active in many church activities over the 25 plus years they were members, and was always willing to spread her love to the congregation by providing her signature chicken and dumplings at every church social as well as lending a confidential ear to anyone who needed a shoulder or encouragement. She dearly loved the Trinity congregation.
Juanita’s life with Jim was filled with peace, lots of fun, and most importantly a deep love for the Lord, each other and family.
She will be missed and her quiet, always loving spirit will never be forgotten.
Family requests donations to Gideons International in lieu of flowers. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 1 p.m., at Trinity Baptist Church, 1601 E. Moore, Searcy, Ark. Social distancing measures will be observed. Interment will immediately follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Lonoke, Ark.