Juanita L. Henry

The heavenly angels are rejoicing as family and friends both deeply mourn the passing and celebrate the life of our beloved JUANITA LARAINE HENRY of Hayti, Missouri, on Monday, September 14, 2020. Born to the late Deacon Lewis C. Henry, Sr. and Mozetta Hull Henry, she attended New Madrid and Pemiscot County schools in her native Missouri.

She received her Bachelor of Science in education from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, and her specialist certificate in remediation and migrant family education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Inspired by her grandfather Rev. Ernest T. Hull, who was the first black schoolteacher in Stoddard County, Missouri, Miss Henry was a passionate educator who taught 43 years in the North Pemiscot and Hayti R-II School Districts before retiring.

She was an active and faithful member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Homestown, where she served diligently on the board of trustees, as church treasurer, Sunday School teacher, adult choir president, Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) president and various other committees. She was youth director of the Pemiscot-Dunklin District Association and assistant secretary and a member of Friendship Consolidated District Association Choir.

Having a heart for young people, Miss Henry devoted her time to the youth of Hayti as 4-H leader, Brownie Troop #114 Leader, recruiter for Lincoln University’s Upward Bound Program and

Southeast Missouri Baptist Camp Counselor. She was a member of the board of directors of Boys and Girls Club of the Bootheel and an un-wavering peer advocate leader for Pemiscot County Healthy Birth Outcome Program.

Juanita was a member of the Portageville branch of the NAACP where she chaired the Political Action Committee (PAC).  She was proud of her memberships in the Bootheel Retired Teachers Association and Hayti Central High School Alumni. Over the years, she has chaired fundraising efforts for Easter Seals, American Heart Association and March of Dimes.

She’s preceded in death by both parents, three brothers –Lewis Calvin Henry, Jr., Olene Henry, Earl Gene “Mickey” Henry, and her beloved chosen sister, Pinky Dowell. Always a blessing to her family, Juanita leaves to cherish precious memories of their sister, two brothers and three sisters: William Arthur Henry (Alice Faye) of Pittsford, NY; Phillip Douglas Henry (Maxine) of Chicago, IL; Vernette McNeal (James) of Hayti, MO; Deborah Edmonds (Larry) of Colonial Heights, VA; Tonie Powell (Gary) of Woodbridge, VA; three sisters-in-law Dorothy Henry, Linella Henry and Lula Henry; her adored godson, Kennard Brown (Cynthia) of Collierville, TN; a sister-niece Crystal (Henry) Arful-Addoh (Anthony) of Chantilly, VA; and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students.

Juanita continued to devote her time, talent and resources to uplifting others until the time of her transition from labor to reward.  She is irreplaceable in the hearts of many and will be greatly missed.  

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”                                                                  Philippians 2:3-4 NIV