Juanita Crump White

God in His infinite wisdom blessed Reverend Harry and Gertie Williams Crump with a baby girl on August 10, 1920, for whom they chose the name of Juanita (meaning God is gracious) Lena. She was the first of fourteen children. While still a youngster, Juanita was baptized at Mount Sterling Baptist Church, and later graduated from Ruthville High School. Juanita met the “love of her life,” Harmon White, and was united in holy matrimony on April 14, 1946. After marriage, she moved her membership to Liberty Baptist Church where she diligently and obediently served 30 years in the Sunday School as teacher and secretary, 33 years with the Willing Workers, 30 years in the Senior Choir, and 19 years as a Deaconess. She was an active member of the Bible Study class. She gave her all without complaint in all of these capacities until her health began to decline. As a devoted church member she was known for her welcoming smile, and her willingness to serve. She also was a member of the Young at Heart Club, and the Eastern Star Chapter #297. She enjoyed shopping and extensive traveling with her husband and family. She was a very fashionable person. She had an extensive collection of suits and wore high heels until she past the age of 90 years. She kept her hair in place at all times, and people often commented on her youthfulness and elegant style. She had an incredible work ethic. She would work around the house from sun up to sun down. She always found a project to keep her busy. There was never a time that you stopped by her home that you did not see a pot on the stove. There was always something good cooking. She loved to engage in conversation with others, and share in a good laugh. She was an excellent cook, and often told the story of how when she was 5 years old her father constructed a wooden box for her to stand on so that she could be tall enough to reach the stove. She would take all the ingredients for the meal to her mother's bedside(in those days women stayed in bed if they were expecting a baby)and her mother would mix up the ingredients. She would then by instructions from her mother’s bedside take the food back to the kitchen and cook it for the family. She often spoke of how there was a new baby every years, and when a new one was born, she would pass the previous baby down to “Coots” (her sister) to look after. “Coots” would pass the baby she would after down to the next oldest sister who was Julia. Coming from a very talented family her talent was cooking and baking. She made award winning pound cakes with her signature green icing. Her baked tomatoes, potato salad, corn pudding, and fried corn puddings, and fried corn were so good that her grandchildren could not wait for the holidays to be able to delight in her dishes. Her talent as a cook was phenomenal. She never used a recipe book, and often stated that she could not repeat back to you how she made her dishes. It was all in her head. Once her husband (Harmon) brought home a duck that someone gave him, she told him “I’ve never cooked a duck before.” However, she tackled it, and her children raved about what a good turkey it was! She didn’t tell them until much later that it was a duck. The blessed union of Harmon and Juanita bore two loving and devoted children,Saundra and Harmon Ryan (Darlene). She was a very nurturing,loving,and supportive grandmother who cared for four grandchildren,Nicholas(Nichole) of Richmond and Chenia of Greensboro,North Carolina,Shane and Ryan of Charles City. She never missed an event,accomplishment or milestone in their lives.She adored her five great grandchildren,Destini,DeQuan,Niyahni,Brock,and Johari. Others left to reminisce her fond memories are two sisters,Bernice Whiting(Frank) and Doris Parker,two brothers,Cecil(Thelma) and Alfred Crump,and one sister-in-law,Lillian Crump,all of Charles City. A host of loving nieces,nephews,cousins,extended family and friends,the Liberty Baptist Church Family,devoted friends,Rev.and Mrs. Alton M. Washington,and devoted caregiver,Mrs. Marilyn Williams are left to cherish her memory. Other family members anxiously awaiting her arrival in heaven are her parents and siblings,Thelma,Viola,Julia,Mable,Oliver,Sydney,Herbert Daniel,Joan and Audrey May.

Tributes

Juanita Crump White

August 10, 1920 - July 17, 2013