Juanita Leaming

Juanita was born August 26, 1928 in Rippey, Iowa to Roy Carlton Johnson and Iris Rae (Van Pelt) Johnson as their first of five children and she died June 25, 2016. Both parents and one sister, Matilda, preceded her in death. Her surviving siblings are: Duane Johnson, Nancy Engleen and Dwight Johnson. She is survived by her husband, Marcus Paul Leaming and 3 daughters: Rebecca Hackworth, Michelle Short (husband Michael), and Heather Leaming. Her grandchildren include Iris Kamau, Kettia Wilson (husband Brian), Blake Short, Britney Haynie (husband, Drew), Mariah Miller (husband, Charlie), Austin Leaming and Madison Leaming. She had 4 bonus grandchildren as well, Chris Hackworth (wife Lisa), Jeff Hackworth (wife Mary), Noel Hackworth and Heather Rice (husband, Brian). She has four great grandchildren, Cyrah Kamau, Mikhail and Bomani Wilson, and Parker Haynie along with 8 bonus great grandchildren. Memorial donations can be directed to the United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti (www.usfch.org) or PO Box 521171, Tulsa, OK 74152. A memorial service will be held at St. James UMC in Tulsa July 31 at 2:00.

After growing up in Iowa, Juanita moved to Florida to attend Bible School where she met her husband Paul. After six months of dating they returned to Iowa to be married in the same church where Paul's great grandfather had been a pastor. Juanita followed Paul as he pastored various churches in Iowa before moving to Nashville to be an evangelist with the Board of Evangelism of the United Methodist Church for five years. Their ministry then took them to Colorado for 15 years and eventually to Tulsa, Oklahoma for fifteen years where they helped launch St. James United Methodist Church. Juanita was always by Paul's side, sometimes teaching Bible studies or leading small groups in their churches. They enjoyed some retirement years in Tulsa before they moved back to Colorado. There she was able to enjoy her 65th Wedding Anniversary with Paul on June 15th which was blessed with the company of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She died at home from cancer on hospice care with her loved ones near. Her family celebrates Juanita's earthly life but are the most grateful that she is now free from pain and worry and living a joyful life in Heaven with the One who has always loved her the most! Her favorite song was "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" and we know and hope you know that to be true.