Juanita Barnhill Elliott, our dearly loved and devoted Mom, Granny and Great Granny passed away peacefully on August 15, 2022 at the age of 94 surrounded by family in Johns Creek, GA. She is survived by three of her four children, Anita Susan Belka of Johns Creek, GA, Nancy Elliott Pope (Matt) of Johns Creek, GA and Philip Geiger Elliott (Jenna) of Cumming, GA. She is also survived by her four beloved grandchildren who she was so proud of, Jonathan M. Pope of Glendale, CA, Rebecca S. Bartlett (Matt) of Charlotte, NC, Elliott G. Belka of Milwaukee, WI, and Benjamin T. Pope (Lindsey) of Woodstock, GA. Her four great grands would always brighten her days and she enjoyed her time loving on them, Thomas Bartlett, Palmer Bartlett, Everett Bartlett and Georgia Bartlett. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, Geiger MacDougall “Mac” Elliott, her son, Thomas Gary Elliott, her parents, William Everett Barnhill and Annie Cotton Barnhill and seven siblings and their spouses.
Juanita was born on July 4, 1928, in Meridian, MS and was so proud of her 4th of July birthday. She proudly wore her red, white, and blue and would enjoy dressing patriotic for Halloween parties as The Statue of Liberty. She grew up in the Jackson, MS area and graduated from Central High School. She then worked as Secretary for the Mayor of Jackson, Allen Thompson, for about 10 years until she had her first child. Juanita and Mac were members of Capital Street Methodist Church and volunteered at the local orphanage.
In 1962, they moved to New Orleans, LA with Mac’s job transfer. They enjoyed their time in the New Orleans area also residing in Dallas, TX for one year and then back to Metairie and Slidell, LA. After their youngest child, Tom, was born with spina bifida and contracting spinal meningitis she greatly desired the support and learning from other parents in Slidell with severely disabled children. Juanita & Mac and other parents founded the S.T.A.R.C organization using a classroom in the Slidell United Methodist Church where they were both active members. After Tom’s death at age 6, she started work as Secretary at the First Presbyterian Church in Slidell that she greatly enjoyed. Juanita was also involved in the Slidell Camellia Club, VFW and Bayou Liberty Garden Club.
Mac’s corporate transfers kept them on the move. They then moved to Birmingham, AL where they were active members of Bluff Park United Methodist Church and the Opportunity Sunday School class. Juanita worked as Secretary for the United Methodist Conference at Birmingham Southern College. They then moved to Phoenixville, PA followed by Basking Ridge, NJ where they were active members of Bishop Janes United Methodist Church. Juanita was very involved in the UMW and enjoyed working on the festivals and bazaars while also singing in the choir. When her husband, Mac, passed away unexpectedly in 1991, she moved with her children to Alpharetta/Johns Creek, GA where she lived the past 30 years. She was very involved in the Alpharetta United Methodist Church, UMW, Jubilations Choir, 54 & More, and led the remodeling of the Bagley House to create a home for the senior community activities. In the past 5 years, she enjoyed the Crabapple Senior Center with all their activities. During Covid, she enjoyed remote conference calls and activities over the phone to enjoy some sort of social interactions with her friends.
The last several weeks of her life was assisted with Amity Care Hospice. We are appreciative of her nurse - Sharmila, CNA - Gloria and chaplain - Frederick who provided good care and knowledge of dementia. Arrangements were by McDonald & Son Funeral Home and Crematory. The Graveside services will be held for family and friends at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11:00am.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17