Juanita Rose Willis

Juanita Rose Willis, 91, of West Pierce Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Lakeview Christian Home. Visitation will be Thursday, June 2, 2011, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, June 3, 2011, 10:00 AM, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Sam Lanham officiating. Private interment will be in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Juanita Rose Willis was born June 15, 1919 in McAdoo, Texas to Austin Carl and Susan Annie (Johnson) Rose. She graduated from high school in McAdoo, Texas. She earned her BS degree at Texas Tech University. She married R. E. Willis on August 29, 1943 in McAdoo, TX. Juanita taught for the Texas School for the Blind. She received her Masters Degree from the University of Idaho-Moscow. She taught Home Economics in the Carlsbad and Loving Schools for 35 years retiring in 1979. Her hobbies included collecting dolls, sewing, painting, reading and hospital visitation. Juanita enjoyed her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, R. E. Willis; daughter-in-law, Julie Willis, three sisters: Inez "Nez" Harmon, Cile Maeker, Katherine "Kitty" Spratt and one brother, Nge Rose. Survivors include her daughter, Nita Nichols of Carlsbad, NM; two sons: Roy Willis and wife, Diane of Carlsbad, NM, Joe Michael Willis of Carlsbad, NM; seven grandchildren: Jon Eric Nichols, Jamie Nichols, Nicole Tickle, Morgan Shepard, Amanda Flensburg, Whitney Willis and Mika Willis; eight great-grandchildren: Brandon, Kate, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Jessie, Grady, Avery, Cole; two sisters: Jo "Jody" Barton of Lubbock, TX, Joyce Johnson of Lubbock, TX; brother, Austin Rose, Jr. of Hereford, TX. Pallbearers will be Brandon Nichols, Redd Flensburg, Troy Tickle, Chad Shepard, Shawn Spence and Gage Bickerstaff. Memorial contributions may be made to Juanita Rose Willis scholarship fund c/o Carlsbad Foundation, 116 S. Canyon Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.