Juanita Shultz Heflin

Juanita married Robert Lee Shultz in 1947. They celebrated 19 years of marriage together until Robert (Bob) passed away in 1967. Juanita is survived by her children Lynda Reppert and Terrie Holly Wright, three grandchildren Jason Reppert, Ryan and Gregory Holly, two great-grandchildren Stella Reppert and Elijah Holly. Juanita married Glen Heflin in 1988. They celebrated 23 years of marriage together until Glen passed away in 2012.

Juanita was a healer. Valedictorian of her high school class, Juanita was offered a full ride scholarship by the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She opted to remain close to family and accepted a scholarship to Wesley School of Nursing in Oklahoma City. She served her country as a cadet nurse and blossomed over a 20 year nursing career that culminated in her retiring as head RN at Presbyterian, now OU Medical Center. Her generous and loving spirit as a healer extended from work life to family life, as she was always the first to tend to wounds, be it her daughters’ scuffed knees following a bike accident or her grandsons’ cut elbows following a football collision. Her extensive first aid kit boasted the mysterious power of a medical treasure chest, and her extensive anatomical knowledge made her entire family feel safe, seen, and loved.

Juanita was a creator. A gifted artist, Juanita was a versatile oil painter and photographer. The paintbrush and Minolta camera were trusty companions throughout her many adventures. Her original paintings of the Grand Tetons and of Moses escaping the fire of Mount Sinai as he carried the Ten Commandments are standout creations. Her beautiful paintings and photographs not only illuminated her house; they also inspired future generations of artists, as her daughter Lynda is a creative arts and crafts aficionado, her daughter Terrie is a luminous visual artist specializing in botanical illustration, her grandson Jason is a talented musician, her grandson Ryan is an award winning writer and filmmaker, and her grandson Gregory thrives in the culinary arts.

Juanita was an explorer. Along with her first husband Bob, she discovered a passion for rock hunting, which inspired many digs from the Southwest to the Rocky Mountains and even a month-long trek to Canada. Members of the Oklahoma Gem and Mineral Society, they made lifelong friends as they hunted for jade, obsidian, garnets, sapphires, petrified wood, fossils, and many others. Juanita’s passion for adventure inspired her to purchase a Winnebago camper and take her daughter Terrie on an excursion to the Grand Tetons, which inspired her painting. Juanita’s love for mountains influenced her daughter Lynda and son-in-law David to share their own adventures throughout Colorado.

Juanita was a counselor. Her devout love for Jesus and passion for helping others inspired her to serve as a counselor for Billy Graham Ministries, regularly fielding traumatic calls on the crisis center hotline, hearing out troubled souls with compassion and sympathy. She was a regular volunteer at the food pantry for the homeless. She was a stalwart member at Meadowood Baptist Church, serving on the prayer ministry team.

Juanita’s welcoming smile, disarming wit, and tender embrace will forever be remembered.