Juanita was born June 7, 1924 in a one room house in Collinsville, AL. She was the daughter of (Ma and Gramps, called Floyd and Dessy) Henderson and the second of 12 children in her family. During her early years, Juanita spent long days working on the family farm and helping Ma with the younger children. She grew up during the Great Depression and she carried the Christian values and virtues she learned in her childhood with her for the rest of her life.
Juanita’s family was always first and foremost. She was known to say about her large family “you know if just one of the kids wasn’t in his place at the table at mealtime, he was missed. I reckon the more you have, the more your love grows.” She was raised in a loving household that instilled good morals and Christian values in all the children. She remained close to all of her brothers and sisters throughout her life, and she looked forward to the annual family reunion each July on Sand Mountain at the family church, the Glendale Church of Christ.
Juanita graduated from Collinsville High School on May 9, 1942. She moved to Chattanooga the next week and got a job at the Davenport Hosiery Mills. Juanita was married to the love of her life, Vorbie Lester Cleland on December 12, 1943 on Sand Mountain at the family church. Thereafter she devoted her life to raising and supporting her family. After 20 years of service, she retired from the First Tennessee Bank. She remained in the Chattanooga area for the rest of her life.
Juanita was a devoted wife and mother and a faithful member of Hixson Church of Christ for 50 years. She was self-motivated and very active even into her later years where she remained living in her home independently into her 90’s. She was an avid seamstress, quilter, and gardener, and her chicken and dumplings were not to be missed at the family reunion.
She was preceded in death by husband, Vorbie Lester Cleland and her son, Timothy Gary Cleland.
She is survived by her devoted daughter Sandra Cleland Woods, and grandchildren, Rachel Woods Skilling (Matt Skilling), James Matthew Woods, Joseph Ross Woods (Maria Woods). Great grandchildren Lucas James Woods and Joseph Grey Woods.
We respectfully request that "social distancing", wearing masks, and all CDC measures be adhered to at the cemetery.
There will be no visitation and graveside services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. To watch the service live you may join us at https://www.facebook.com/chattanooganorthchapel/
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Camp Swamp at 1380 Maxeys Road, Union Point, GA 30669 or www.campswamp.com
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
