Juanita B. Bates, the second daughter of the late Jasper "Gammie" Brown, Sr. and Virginia Pinckney Brown of Cross, South Carolina was born August 22, 1955 and entered into eternal rest on February 9, 2019.

Juanita was reared in church and was an active member of Ebenezer Zion AME Church in Holy Hill, South Carolina. She attended the public schools in Berkeley County and was a 1973 graduate of Cross High School in Cross, South Carolina, she later furthered her education to receive her bachelor's degree from Voorhees College in May 1977. Juanita was a substitute teacher for 20 years in the Caroline County Public Schools.

Juanita was full of life and love. She shared her gift of kindness and hospitality wherever she went. She could make the best of anyone's worst day. Her most treasured asset was her family. She loved her family and made sure everyone knew how much they meant to her.

Juanita fell in love when she met a kind and gentle man. Wayne stole her heart and it was evitable that on June 24, 1979 they were united in holy matrimony and to this union they were blessed with three beautiful children.

She was preceded in death by her beautiful parents an d her brother , Kenneth Brown.

Juanita leaves to cherish her beloved memories to her husband; Wayne Bates; children, Tangier Bates of Washington, D.C., Eldorous Bates and April Bates of Woodford, Virginia, step mother; Lola Brown of Cross, South Carolina; brother, Jasper (Linda) Brown of Cross, South Carolina and Michael Brown of Columbia, South Carolina; sister, Beatrice Davis; step sister, Yvette (Michael) Jackson both of Cross, South Carolina; cousins reared as sisters, Carrie (Hadrick) Husser, Judy (Daton) Fullard, Virginia Ann Brown and Wanda (Alexandria) Graham; uncles, Vergaree Brown, Raymond (Beatrice) Brown, Willis (Jannie Lee) Gilliard, Silas Brown, Jessie Brown, Leon Dixon and Remi Brown, Jr. ; aunts, Ida (Cleveland) Greene,, Maeola Watson, Betty (Johnny) Gause, Mable (Larry) Oliver, Julie Dixon and Elizabeth Brown; five beautiful grandchildren, Khiree, Zylin,Terrence, Mason and Bryce and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019 at First Baptist Church, 9262 Guinea Station Road, Woodford, Virginia 22580.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at First Baptist Church with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Reverend Dr. Carl Bentley will be delivering the eulogy.

Interment will be private.