Juanita Katherine Gibson

Juanita Katherine Gibson, 96, of the Double Springs Community of Kingsport, TN, celebrated her birthday on December 12, 2024, and passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, after a fall seventeen days prior. Born in Snowflake, Virginia, Juanita lived on Double Springs Farm for eighty-one years before moving to Brookdale Kingsport almost four years ago. She was a strong, serious woman of Faith and Love with a level of common sense that surpassed any level of formal education. Juanita accepted Jesus Christ into her heart when she was 12 years old and became a member of Double Springs Baptist Church. For over 80 years, she was there every time the doors opened. She genuinely loved her church family; and they loved and cared for her.

Juanita was preceded in death by many family members: she was the fifth of ten children of birth parents, Tobey and Emily Maye Barnett Gibson; her adoptive parents for whom she provided care until their deaths, James Riley Hite and Lillian Lady Hite; nephew Dr. James C. Hite, whom she raised, loved, and provided care until his death in 2011 as if he were her own son; and her sister-in-law, Wanna Bales Hite, whom she loved like a sister. Among the other close relationships were Bonnie Bales Bailey and Norma Sells, whom she loved like sisters and Paul T. Bailey, who taught her how to drive and whom she loved like a brother.

Juanita’s siblings that predeceased her are Elsie Kate Smith, Lucille Gibson Nunley Bledsoe, Wilbur “Bill” Gibson, Ted E. Gibson, Clarence Richard Gibson, Sr., Ellis Gene (Gibson) Yokley, Ruth Taylor Scott, and adopted brother Clifford Hite.

Juanita grew up working on the Double Springs Farm working with the dairy herd, cattle, chickens, ducks, turkeys, dogs, and cats. She was known for her green thumb, beautiful flowers, and hearty garden as well as her down home cooking skills. After caring for Mr. and Mrs. Hite until their deaths, Juanita learned to drive a car for the first time, got a job off the farm, and utilized her cooking skills for the children and staff in the cafeteria at Miller Perry Elementary School. She loved the children, her co-workers, the teachers, and staff until she retired and enjoyed church trips, working in her garden, and sitting on her porches.

Juanita is survived by a brother, Charles W. Gibson of Mt. Carmel, TN and a sister, Rosa Marie Brobeck, formerly of Kingsport. Other support team members for Juanita who survive her are Dr. Paula Bailey Hinson, Michael Bailey and his wife Teresa, and Jonathan Bailey who loved and cared for her and her well-being after their cousin Dr. Hite’s illness and death. Their children Andrew Hinson, Adam Hinson, Zachary Bailey and his wife Kaylie, and Madison Bailey Begley and her husband Palmer were all like grandchildren to Juanita.

While so many friends, family, and people who cared and loved Juanita have passed, the family would like to thank her special friends that Juanita loved. Evelyn Bales, Bill and Sandy Robbins, Pastor and Mrs. Randy Waller, Mike and Sharon Ervin, Wanda Cox, Don Watts, Lisa George, her best dining buddy Velma, and the caring staff at Brookdale Kingsport.

Honorary pallbearers are Bill Robbins, Don Watts, Mike Ervin, James Barrett, Dean Sells, Tommy Sells, Dr. Jerry R. Hinson, and David Anctil.

A graveside service and burial for Juanita will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Rock Springs Methodist Church cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Double Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Waller officiating and special music by Mike Ervin.

In lieu of flowers, Juanita requested donations be made to the Double Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 2783 Rock Springs Road, Kingsport, TN 37664.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the friends on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenter.com.