Juanita Jackson was born on January 21, 1948, in Evansville, Indiana, to Henry and Odessa Howell. On Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Lord called her home at Envive Nursing Facility, surrounded by her family and friends.
Our mother always dreamed of playing a grand piano and was delighted to find a baby grand in the center room of the nursing facility. She organized and rehearsed with the choir alongside Volunteer of the Year, Bob Bock, and they performed programs on holidays throughout the year. Juanita could not read music but learned to play the piano by ear at an early age under the guidance of her father. By the age of eight, she had already perfected her craft and was playing for adult choirs.
She attended Lincoln High School and later Central High School. Although she did not graduate, she later earned her G.E.D. and pursued further education at Lockyear College. During this time, she met Curtis Barnes, who became her lifelong companion. He loved and accepted her and her five children as his own until his passing in 1992.
Juanita was hired at Mead Johnson through a referral from one of her college professors, who recognized her academic achievements. She also worked for the State of Indiana as a clerical assistant and later as a Medicaid Spindown receptionist for the Division of Family and Children.
A devoted member and pianist at Little Valley Missionary Baptist Church for many years, Juanita dedicated her talents to five church groups, ensuring they always sounded their best. In her spare time, she enjoyed bingo, playing cards, crocheting, knitting, and singing. She was deeply loved by all who knew her, and she will forever remain in our hearts.
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Odessa Howell; her spouse, Sam (Ira) Jackson; her brother, Maynard Howell; her sisters, Henrietta Howell and Oretha Humphries; her daughter, Vanessa Graham; and her granddaughter, Danaya Norris.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Joevelyn Jackson, Stella Jackson, Samuel (Kevin) Jackson, and Lonita Graham; her brother, Robert Howell; her sister, Hannah Howell; special friends, Judy Pereboom and Bob Bock; and a very special sister-in-love, Helena Finn. She is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as 20 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
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Our mother always dreamed of playing a grand piano and was delighted to find a baby grand in the center room of the nursing facility. She organized and rehearsed with the choir alongside Volunteer of the Year, Bob Bock, and they performed programs on holidays throughout the year. Juanita could not read music but learned to play the piano by ear at an early age under the guidance of her father. By the age of eight, she had already perfected her craft and was playing for adult choirs.
She attended Lincoln High School and later Central High School. Although she did not graduate, she later earned her G.E.D. and pursued further education at Lockyear College. During this time, she met Curtis Barnes, who became her lifelong companion. He loved and accepted her and her five children as his own until his passing in 1992.
Juanita was hired at Mead Johnson through a referral from one of her college professors, who recognized her academic achievements. She also worked for the State of Indiana as a clerical assistant and later as a Medicaid Spindown receptionist for the Division of Family and Children.
A devoted member and pianist at Little Valley Missionary Baptist Church for many years, Juanita dedicated her talents to five church groups, ensuring they always sounded their best. In her spare time, she enjoyed bingo, playing cards, crocheting, knitting, and singing. She was deeply loved by all who knew her, and she will forever remain in our hearts.
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Odessa Howell; her spouse, Sam (Ira) Jackson; her brother, Maynard Howell; her sisters, Henrietta Howell and Oretha Humphries; her daughter, Vanessa Graham; and her granddaughter, Danaya Norris.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Joevelyn Jackson, Stella Jackson, Samuel (Kevin) Jackson, and Lonita Graham; her brother, Robert Howell; her sister, Hannah Howell; special friends, Judy Pereboom and Bob Bock; and a very special sister-in-love, Helena Finn. She is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as 20 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
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