Juanita McNeill Stanley

June 6, 1931 - January 4, 2022

Mrs. Juanita McNeill Stanley, 90, of Gates, passed away on Tuesday, Jan.4 surrounded by her family at her residence. She was born to the late Archie and Lena McNeill in Concord in 1931. Juanita, affectionately known to her large family as “Memaw”, lived her entire life in Gates. She was a life-long member and treasurer of Concord United Methodist Church, which her late father helped to build. She will be remembered as a great mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Juanita was a homemaker with her true love being in the kitchen cooking for her large family. She also cooked for others, working in the lunchrooms at Forked Deer School, Tupperware and Komatsu. Memaw was also well-known for her amazing caramel popcorn. She was also a seamstress, quilting and crocheting many throws and other items for her family. Another love of Memaw’s was sports. An avid fan of the Memphis Grizzlies, the University of Memphis basketball team and the St.Louis Cardinals. Her passion for the games would often result in one of two ways, either cheering for a victory or being escorted out of a gym for throwing popcorn at the referees. She was also an avid card player that hurt many a player’s feelings in Shanghi Rummy as well as Rook. Survivors include her twin sister, Aunita Emerson; her four children Rita Hartman (Jimmy), Steve Stanley (Dorothy), Brent Stanley (Kelly), Trisha Smith (Mike); nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Harry C. (Sonny) Stanley, her two brothers JD McNeill (Betty) and James Albert McNeill, her two sisters Evelyn Escue (Pharis), Liz Jansen (Ronnie), and her great-grandson Claiborne Baynes. Public visitation will be held on Friday, Jan.7 at Concord Methodist Church beginning at 11 a.m. prior to the funeral at 1 p.m. Serving as pallbearers are Bryan Hartman, Steven Stanley, Matthew Stanley, Harrison Stanley, Jeff Newman, and Lee Baynes. Honorary pallbearers are Tyler Childress, Blake McWilliams, Blake Gowder, and Blake Stanley. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Concord United Methodist Church or the Concord Cemetery Fund, 2549 Dr. Parks Rd. Gates,TN 38037