Mrs. Juanita Adams

Integrity, faith and service are virtues that best describe how Juanita lived her life. Born June 27, 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee, she is the third of 12 children born to Betty and Reverend John Henry Guy, Sr. She attended schools in the Riverview neighborhood of South Memphis in the 1940's and 1950's when "Jim Crow" laws demanded racial segregation in all public facilities. As a freshman at Booker T. Washington High School, she encountered repeated discrimination on public busses. Fed up with the treatment, at the young age of 14 she participated in her first civil rights protest experience. That experience lit a flame within her to always stand for justice. In 1959, she married Cleotha Adams and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she continued to work fearlessly for the civil rights of all Americans. Juanita was a charter member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), participating in numerous non-violent protests where she and other protesters were threatened by hate filled bystanders and arrested. She also participated in national protests, most notably the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28,1963. As a member of Milwaukee United School Integration Committee (MUSIC), Juanita stood bravely in front of a cement truck, while six months pregnant to prevent the building of a segregated school. Her experiences were chronicled in various interviews including the book, More Than One Struggle: The Evolution of Black School Reform in Milwaukee by Jack Dougherty, where she graces the cover. Juanita gave her life to Christ as a young child, and recommitted herself to him and became a faithful member of New Testament Church of Milwaukee in 1981. Juanita was given the spiritual gift of exhortation- "to encourage and strengthen." True to the character of an exhorter, Juanita served the church in many capacities, always uplifting and motivating others for Christ. She also lovingly challenged others when necessary to foster spiritual growth and action. She studied and meditated on God's word daily, even through her brief illness, choosing to have her 'quiet-time' with the Lord during her 4AM bouts with discomfort and pain. Throughout her illness, her faith never wavered. She often said, "Whatever God's will, I will glorify him." Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth" was one of Juanita's favorite scriptures, and one that she lived by daily. In her last days, when she could not speak, she raised her hand in praise. Juanita dedicated her life to serving others for the greater good. She volunteered countless hours in formal and informal ways to those in need. Being a support to women was a special interest of hers. Along with the various volunteer leadership positions she held in churches, community organizations and schools, in the 1980's she volunteered at The Sojourner Truth House, taking overnight shifts once a week for several years to help women affected by domestic violence, while working a full-time job and raising teenaged girls. She spent the last 12 years of her life as a weekly staff volunteer as an ART facilitator and Spiritual Guidance Instructor for The Convergence Resource Center, an organization that supports women who were incarcerated and female survivors of human trafficking. At New Testament Church, she participated in many ministries including founding the Parents Without Partners ministry and facilitating the weight loss support ministry P.O.W.E.R. She was also passionate about the S.P.J.RI.T. where she faithfully visited the sick and shut in seniors. When asked about her commitment to volunteerism she said, "My goal in life is to give back to the community because God has richly blessed me." She blessed so many people in informal ways including feeding them physically and spiritually, taking them to doctor's appointments and chemotherapy treatments, helping them find jobs, giving parenting advice and encouragement, and being a prayer warrior with a long list of people she prayed for daily. Juanita retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield United Wisconsin in 2003, as a senior claims analyst. She was a stellar employee for over 25 years. She was blessed to enjoy many opportunities to travel nationally and internationally including trips to London and Israel. Juanita was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. She has now joined her parents Rev. John and Betty Guy, sisters Annie Jones and Louise Guy, and her daughter, Regina Adams Allen. She has blazed a trail for her daughters: Patricia Cifax, Ed.D., Jacinta Tatum, and Sheila Ad31l1s Gardner, Esq; sons-in-law Minister Arnold Cifax, Sr., Karl Tatum, and Richard Gardner, M.D.; Grandchildren: Arnold, Christopher and Cory Cifax; Karli, Karl, and Kaleb Tatum; Rick, Gabrielle and Christian Gardner; Granddaughters-in-law Athena and Emma Cifax; Great-granddaughter Cayli Grace Cifax; Ex-husband and friend, CleothaAdams, 'Son of the heart' Brent Adams (Jazzmyne); Sisters: Lorine (Eugene) Myles, Earnestine (Samuel) Wallace, Betty (Chester) Witherspoon, Katherine Sartin; Brothers: John Henry (Romelia) Guy, Andrew (Winnie) Guy, Charles Guy, Albert (Darlene) Guy, Terry Guy and James (Gwen) Vinson Guy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and dear friends.

Mrs. Juanita Adams

June 27, 1940 - September 24, 2016