Www.bakersfield.com/obits JUANITA BLACKWELL
1925 - 2021
Juanita Blackwell passed into the loving arms of her savior at her daughter's home in Bakersfield, CA on Sunday, October 24, 2021. She will be long remembered for her intelligence, sparkling wit, and warm hospitality.
The only child of Earl L. Moore and Virginia Moore, Juanita lived in Fort Worth, Texas, and Washington D.C as a child. When she was 17 years old, she married RD Blackwell. Later they moved to Paradise Hills, CA then La Mesa, CA. Juanita raised three children, earned her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from San Diego State and worked as a medical assistant at Smith Hannah Medical Clinic in San Diego. Juanita loved baking, and had a special place in her heart for chocolate, nuts, and ice cream. She was well-known for hosting Christmas Eve Parties, Fourth of July parties, and countless card parties.
Juanita became a Christian as a young woman. She loved serving Jesus and had a strong heart for missions. In her 20's, she began leading Bible studies and continued leading well into her 80's. She loved training others to lead as well. Juanita and RD were influential in many churches throughout California. They were founding members of Paradise Hills Baptist Church, and were also members at Del Cerro Baptist Church, Springville Baptist Church, Daybreak Baptist Church, and Grace Baptist Church.
Juanita loved other cultures and she and RD went on many mission trips. After retirement, they built churches in Guatemala and Mexico. They spent 6 months working at the Baptist Hospital in Gaza where Juanita worked as a purchasing agent for the hospital and ministered to the long-term missionaries.
Juanita and RD loved traveling all over the United States in their RV. They finally settled down in Springville, CA where they lived until they moved to Bakersfield to be closer to their family. They were married for 67 years until RD passed away in 2010.
Juanita also loved reading mysteries, crocheting, talking, thinking through all the problems of the world, and beating every competitor at cards and dominoes. Juanita loved to tell a good story, and didn't mind exaggerating to do it. She was a talented actress and participated in Reader's Theatre groups long into her 90's. Juanita was also a talented artist with crochet, needlework, crewel, and ceramics.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Dean (RD) Blackwell, and her son, Ronald Blackwell.
She is survived by her daughters Susan Bauerle and Carol Bennett, her son-inlaws, Vern Bauerle and Randy Bennett, her daughter-in-law Cheri Blackwell, her grandchildren: Jason Blackwell, Deborah Blackwell, Ronald Bauerle Blackwell McKnight, Bonnie Bauerle, Brittany Bauerle, Grant Bennett, Carolyn Cummings, and Sandra Hughes; and her 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on November 17, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Grace Baptist Church in Bakersfield.