Juanita Loftin

Juanita Loftin, 95, of Cardwell, Missouri, passed from this life on Monday February 5th. She was a lifelong Christian and a devoted member of Cockrum Church of Christ. She was a teacher at Southland C-9 schools, where she taught generations of children in the community. She proudly wrote the anthem for the school, "Oh Southland High", set to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree." Each year she penned a poem for the graduating class, mentioning each student by name, and giving them a happy place in the school's history.

She was an avid gardener. Each summer she would grow corn, purple hull peas, and tomatoes, and she always kept her yard full of flowers. Her rose moss that she grew at the end of the cotton fields near her house became famous; people who drove by every morning were treated to a beautiful sight of pink and red and yellow flowers that stretched hundreds of feet. She eventually sold some of her moss from her yard vegetable stand.

She loved music and singing, attending plays and musical performances almost weekly. Her enthusiastic clapping would often be the first heard after each song. She loved to sing and whistle along with the radio while she cooked.

She was an amazing cook as well. Her scratch apple pie made from fruit from her own tree was a staple at many family gatherings. Her house was full of the best homemade breads and fried chicken, and her fish fries were not to be missed. Her home was always warm and welcoming to all.

She is survived by two sons, Jeff and Joe Loftin and wife Sunny of Cardwell, and their children Daniel and wife Katie and sons Jett and Henry of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and daughter Sarah Bolt and husband Jacob and sons Wade and Jack of Fayetteville. Granddaughter Julie Hughes and husband Randall of Round Rock, Texas and their children Evelyn and Wesley, and great grandchildren Meredith and Max Meeker of Spring Hill, Tennessee also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph Loftin, her daughters Teresa Wood and infant Roseann, and two cherished granddaughters Melissa Meeker and Emily McDonald.

The funeral will be Friday morning at 10 AM at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould, with burial at Cardwell Cemetery afterwards. In lieu of flowers, the family asks any donations be made to the Children's Home of Paragould in Juanita Loftin's name.