Juanita J Robertson

Juanita Jo Roark Robertson, 90, former elementary school teacher in Arlington, died Friday, September 7, at her home following a short illness. Graveside Services are scheduled for 2:00p.m., Wednesday, September 12, at Moore Memorial Gardens, Randol Mill Road and Davis Drive in Arlington, with Dr. James E. Scirratt, First Baptist Church, Arlington, officiating. A reception for family and friends will be held at her home at 1711 Wellington Court, Arlington, between 3:00p.m. and 5:00 p.m. following the graveside service.

Juanita was born March 5, 1922, in Lancaster, Texas, the daughter of Daniel Blythe Roark and Iva Elizabeth Crouch Roark. After losing her mother at the age of two, Juanita was raised by her father and stepmother Myrtle May McKinney Roark. She attended public schools in Lancaster, Dallas and Forney, beginning high school there in 1937 and graduating in May 1939. Juanita married her high school sweetheart, Andrew Jack Robertson, at the home of her parents in Forney on October 31, 1944, during his service in the U.S. Navy in World War II. The couple were the parents of twin girls—Iva Lou and Eva Lou—born May 30, 1946. Unhappily, both girls lived only a short period.

She graduated from the North Texas State Teachers College—now the University of North Texas—with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, later with graduate work in elementary education. She began her teaching career at the Lone Elm School in Kaufman County in 1941 and later taught at Fabens, Midland, and Trinidad, Texas, all in the second and third elementary grades. Juanita and Jack moved to Arlington in 1950 and Juanita began her first of almost thirty years in teaching the second grade in the Arlington Public Schools—many years at South Davis Elementary, Teaching second grade was her first love and to that love she gave her dedication and commitment.

Juanita and her husband were members of the First Baptist Church, Arlington, where she taught in the primary and junior departments. She and Jack developed a vacation cabin on the Stehekin River in Washington state and spent many delightful summers there. They also traveled extensively in the US plus eleven countries in Europe.

Juanita survived her husband of 67 years by five months. In turn, she is survived by her sister Marie Pickens of Arlington; brother John J. Roark and wife Aggie of Dallas; nephew Daniel L. Roark and wife Cyndy of Farmers Branch; niece Sarah Schermerhorn and husband Stanley of Argyle; niece Barbara McDonald and husband Bill of Hooks, Texas; nephew Glen Robertson and wife Cheryl of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; and nephew Scott Robertson and wife Chris of Double Oak, Texas.

The family of Juanita would like to express their appreciation to Right at Home in Euless—through their caregivers Elizabeth “B.J.” Andrews and Tricia Fiedler—for their dedication and loving care. Also, much appreciation is expressed to Community Hospice of Texas.