Juanita Barrett Swaim Roberts, “Ms Juanita” went to meet her precious Lord and Savior at home with her longtime husband and care giver, Gerald Merle Roberts. She was under the care of Aveanna Hospice and a victim of COVID and Alzheimer disease.
Juanita was the only child of Rev. G.D. and Rachella Barrett; and in 1951, she came to Huntsville from Johnson City, TN, while a junior in high school, when her father accepted the pastory of Huntsville Park Baptist Church. She later was in the first graduating class of Butler High School. After graduation, she moved to Augusta, GA with her first husband, Kenneth Leland Swaim, while he was in the Service. She returned to Huntsville and worked as a secretary for ABMA at Redstone Arsenal before quitting and going to cosmetology school in Huntsville. After graduation, she opened and ran her own beauty shop, Statton Styles, the “best little hair house in town.” She retired in 2001 when her second husband retired, and they traveled a lot with Wyndham Resorts.
Her hobbies were square and round dancing, sewing, bowling, and singing. However, the love of her life were the children. She never met a baby she didn’t like! She was always active in the children’s ministry at every church she attended and was always loved and known as “Ms Juanita.” And she loved them and loved doing the Children’s Sermon on Sunday morning.
“Ms Juanita” ran the Children’s Ministry at Willowbrook Baptist Church for 18 years and was active in the choir, puppet ministry, and children’s ministry before moving to First Baptist Church in 1991 where she was active in the Nursery, Sanctuary and Hallelujah choirs, and the Living Christmas Tree choir. She also sang bass with the Rocket City Chorus, the local chapter of the international Barbershop Harmony Society.
Juanita is survived by her husband of 34 years, Gerald M Roberts; two sons; Jann (Jenny) and Brian (Kate) Swaim; two stepsons. Brad (Rita) and Bruce Roberts; and several grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at First Baptist Church Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Seanor officiating. There will be a private family burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
