Juanita Reed Hughes

Juanita Reed was born out of the love between young John Halton Reed, (affectionately known as “Candace”) and Clara Metcalf Reed on July 2, 1935 in Sparkman, Arkansas. Juanita was raised by loving and nurturing parents who instilled in her the values of morality, integrity and humility. She united with Centerpoint AME Church at a young age. She grew up during the time of segregation and attended Sparkman Training School where she excelled as a student. She graduated in 1953 and was the class salutatorian. Shortly after graduation she later married Sammy Hughes and they would soon become the parents of seven children. She mastered being a great mother. Her children were her life and she raised them in a home full of love and laughter. She believed in family and instilled in them the essence of family togetherness. She was the conduit that held her family together. Juanita worked hard to care for her family. Juanita later united with Sammy at Macedonia Baptist Church, where she was a dedicated member until her passing from this life She worked for several years at the Sparkman Nursing Home, Pace and lastly the Arkadelphia Human Development Center where she retired as a Life Skills Trainer. On August 15, 1988, after 35 years of marriage her husband, her partner, her friend Sammy passed. Although his death would leave a void in their family her strength and her love drew the family closer, as one. She never tried to replace Sammy, but she did all that she could to make sure that her children didn’t feel the sting of his absence. “Watt” as she was called by close friends possessed an infectious smile that would chase the chill from any room. She lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment when she was around. Her greatest joy was being around family and friend having a good time. Those who knew her best knew that she loved to be pampered and that she loved to dress. She took great pride in her appearance; her nails were always manicured with a bold fingernail polish and her accessories were always tasteful and pretty. She enjoyed traveling and loved the board game Chance. She believed that age was just a number when it came to spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always gave an attentive ear and wise advice. She was a confidante and a true friend. On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, she passed from time into eternity and is now added to His great and blessed family in the world beyond our vision - a place not made by human hands, but a place we call Heaven. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved Sammy Hughes; her siblings, Lucy Mae Knox, Mae Lois Hunter, Hattie Reed and Johnny Reed and a great-grandchild, Amari M. Hughes (1998). Her presence, her memory and love will be forever cherished by her children: Geneva Hunter of Arkadelphia, Lawrence Hughes of Arkadelphia, Sammy Hughes of Sparkman, Jeffery Hughes of Sparkman, Sharon Evans (Michael) of Little Rock, Shelia Giles (David) of Arkadelphia and Kassandra Reed (Robert) of Arkadelphia; god-children, Linda Hughes of Sparkman and Maurice Jackson of Bearden; thirty-two grandchildren and fifty-one great grandchildren; two sisters, Lottie Wyatt of Kansas City, KS and Dr. Fannie Bell Evan of Denver, CO; a brother-in-law, Bert Field Hunter of Sparkman; a special friend, Johnny Neal of Arkadelphia and a special daughter-in-law, Belinda Hughes of Arkadelphia. She also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, several friends and the Macedonia Baptist Church Family. A celebration of her life will be shared at 11am on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. J. L. Newburn, eulogist. The interment will be at Harmony Community Cemetery. Public visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 from 2-4 pm. The family will receive friends from 6-7 pm at Macedonia Baptist Church.