Juanita Inez Grimes Vercher was a vibrant and fun-loving individual. She was definitely a light that always shined. "Nita" or "Ms. Y" as she was called, always had something humorous to lend to any conversation.

Juanita was the third daughter born to Eunice Allison and Henry Lee Grimes, Sr. and would have celebrated her 81st birthday on August 26th.

She shared her formative years in Elizabeth, Louisiana with her siblings, Barbara Jean, Henry Jr. and Hilda Beatrice.  Her infant sister, Gwendolyn Marie died before Juanita was born.

As she transitioned to her higher calling, she was reunited in eternity with her parents, grandparents and siblings.

Juanita was a 1958 graduate of Allen High School, where she excelled in basketball.  She attended Southern University following graduation from high school.

After moving to Los Angeles, California in 1960, she met and married Bobbie Vercher. To this union, their one and only child, Cynthia Ann was born.

Juanita moved to Chicago in 1971.   She loved styling her family and friend's hair.  So, it was no surprise that she became a licensed cosmetologist.

Having lived in Chicago for more than 29 years, Juanita returned to Oakdale in the year of 2000 where she was an active member at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church and served in the choir, and on both the mission and deaconess board.

Juanita will be deeply and sincerely missed by those she leaves behind. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Weeks and son-in-law, Reginald Weeks, both of Lake Charles and grandchildren, Ayanna Weeks of Spring, Texas and James Weeks of Lake Charles, Louisiana; along with an uncle, Joe Lowe, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.