Juanita Branum West passed away peacefully on April 26, 2024, in Huntsville. She was born in New Hope, AL to Elmer Childress Branum and Ida Helen Reid Branum on October 21, 1933, the youngest of three girls.
Despite her small stature of 4’10”, she played on her high school basketball team and competed in other women’s sports including softball.
She studied to become a Registered Nurse in Ohio and after returning to Alabama took a position at Carraway Methodist Hospital in Birmingham, where she met her future husband Dr. Young U West Jr., an Anesthesiologist. They had two sons, Young U. West III “Scott” and Eric Steven West, while in Birmingham. After a short time running a small clinic in Sipsey, AL., the Wests moved to Huntsville where Young formed Anesthesia Associates. The couple had two more sons, Kevin Blair West and Robert Shaun West.
The couple had an interest in dancing and discovered Arthur Murray Dance Studio in downtown Huntsville. Young and Nita developed a close relationship with the studio owners Vadim and Helen Logvinov and continued their lessons and friendship for many years. In dance competitions, Nita won three world-class 1st place medals recognizing her achievements.
After Young’s passing in 1994, Nita continued to live in the family home on Monte Sano where she dedicated her time in support of the American Red Cross and Monte Sano Methodist Church. She also enjoyed her Garden Club and Bridge group for many years to follow.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Young, and her son, Kevin. She is survived by her sons Young U. “Scott”, Eric (Joy), and Shaun (Lynn); six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The service will begin at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nita’s honor to the American Red Cross or Monte Sano United Methodist Church.
