Juanita Louise Ratcliff, 81, left this earth in the early hours of July 5, 2024 surrounded by those that loved her. She is preceded in death by her son, Teddy Blackmon, parents, Gladys Louise “Boo” Lockey and Hayward Ratcliff, grandparents Lennie Miller and Jessie Edward Lockey; Lillie Mae Martin and Wylie Lloyd Ratcliffe.
She is survived by a large multitude, as she was the oldest of eight children and was born into a large family. Left to cherish her in their own ways are her two daughters, Diane and Tammy, several grandchildren, and siblings Jimmy/Donna, Judy, Joe/Kathy, Jeanie (Striplin), Jackie/Pam, Janice/Steve (Kaylor), Joy Ratcliff, and dozens of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Juanita graduated from Cotton Valley High School, and shortly thereafter married Dwayne Blackmon in 1963. They had three children together and traveled from Zephyr, Texas to Canada and back during their short marriage. She then found her way home to Webster Parish, Louisiana, to be close to family in Cotton Valley. She worked at the David Wade Correctional Center until she fell from a guard tower, resulting in a TBI in the early 1980’s.
Juanita was a free spirit and restless soul. She lived an adventurous life and went about her days with a carefree spirit. She traveled to many places and experienced as much in life as she could. She grew up a traveler, the small, but growing family following her father wherever he went for work in the early 1950’s. She traveled all over Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana, both with family and without. She loved bright colors and upbeat music, having won many a dance contest in her youth, partnering with her cousin Jimmy Rac.
Her passing leaves a hole in the hearts of those that knew her. Special thanks to her niece, Paula, and those that helped her, for her compassion and caring during her final months on this earth.
A family memorial will be held at a later date.
Please consider donating in her honor to the Northwest Louisiana Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Support Group at https://thinkfirstlouisiana.org/support-group.