Juanita Beatrice (Buckner) Hill

Juanita Beatrice (Buckner) Hill was born in Kinderpost, MO to the late Will and Cora (Bray) Buckner on December 08, 1927 (the 7th of 8 children). She went to the Lord on October 15, 2015, after battling a long illness.

She married Ray Emmons Hill on January 11, 1943. To this union of 50 years three children were born: Gary Ray (deceased), Peggy Lee Tripi of Licking, Shelia Marice Todaro (deceased); grandsons: Jason Todaro and Nickolas Todaro were born to Tom and Sheila Todaro. To add to her joy in life Jason and Ashli gave her a great-granddaughter, Luci Jane Marice Todaro, and Nickolas and Kayla gave her a great-grandson, Bennett Ray Todaro.

Juanita grew up on the banks of Piney River. She had a happy fun loving God fearing childhood.

Juanita eloped with her handsome soldier, Ray E. Hill on January 11, 1943. After the war Ray and Juanita lived in Tacoma, WA where Peggy was born. Ray and Juanita worked together farming and gardening. Juanita was an excellent seamstress.

In 1951 came a beautiful daughter, Shelia. She was so proud of Shelia and her humanitarian work at Licking Park Manor.

Juanita started working at Rawlings Baseball Factory in 1955. She worked for 47 years, retiring in 1993. She served as local union’s president and secretary. She earned the respect of Rawlings and her co-workers.

Juanita re-dedicated her life to God and joined the First Baptist Church where she took her two daughters to Sunday School every Sunday and she taught a class. Her advice to her grandsons was “I want you to be a good person and grow up believing in yourself, always thinking of others and have respect for your friends and family. Believe in God.

She always wanted to make people laugh. She was known to her grandsons friends as “Granny” always joking, telling stories and feeding them. She was very proud of her grandsons and enjoyed being part of their lives.

She enjoyed helping with the horses and watching the cattle on nearby farms.

Juanita was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

She dedicated her life to her family and God, always giving selfishly of herself. She will be missed by all.