Juanita Ballard Cole

Juanita Ballard Cole, 89, of Pinewood, Tenn., formerly of Blytheville, passed away peacefully Sept. 21, 2021. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home. Visitation was Saturday beginning at 12 noon until time of service. Place of rest was in the Dickson Union Cemetery, Dickson, Tenn.

Juanita was born in Nashville, Tenn., to Albert Fred and Tennie Hackett Ballard. She was the youngest of five siblings, all preceding her in death: Louise Ballard Dorey; Wendall Holmes Ballard; Helen Ballard Jones; Julia Frances Ballard Bruch. She was also preceded in death by her only son, Cecil R (Rick) Cole, Jr. (Feb. 9-July 16, 1992).

She survived by her husband of 62 years, Dr. C.R. Richard Cole; daughter, Suzanne “Suzie” Ballard Cole of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla.; “adopted daughter”, Shelia Geery of Dickson, Tenn.; grandson, Anthony James (A.J.) Dauphin of Pinewood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Pleasant Shade High School and then went on to graduate as an RN from Nashville General Hospital in 1956. It was her love of compassionate medical care that led her to pursue a job in Blytheville, where she met and married Richard. She worked as a pediatric nurse and often they made “home deliveries.” She was also a nursing instructor at Cotton Boll Vocational Tech for a short while.

She became a stay at home mom and never regretted it. She was always active in Rick and Suzie's activities and the football boys call her “Mama Cole” to this day. Juanita was always homesick for middle Tennessee and in 1984 the family purchased a farm in the Pinewood community; and they commuted until Richard retired in 1998. Throughout the years they raised cattle, vegetable gardens and enjoyed the simpler life. She was a lifelong learner, loved to laugh, travel and never met a stranger. Most of all she loved Jesus and wanted to share his love.

Eighteen months before Rick died, God sent a very special two day old baby boy into our lives. His family let us help raise him. A.J. brought her so much joy after Rick died and helped ease the pain of losing him. Juanita’s motto became “Life isn’t fair, but God is good.”

Taylor Funeral Home assisted the family with her arrangements, 615-446-2808, TaylorSince1909.com.