BELL, Juanita Jo

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 10/25/2013 Juanita Jo Bell, 77, died Oct. 14, 2013. She was born July 22, 1936, to Cecil Earl Phillips and Imogene Lucille Phillips at their home in Fannin County, Texas. Juanita was a bright spot in the lives in everyone who knew her. She spent her younger years taking care of her younger siblings, farming and riding tumbleweeds. As she aged, she was a tough old bird, with a smart-aleck attitude that wouldn’t quit and kept her family on their toes with laughter. She enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, sewing, TV, and had a very extensive movie collection varying from sci-fi to Western. She was a cook and lived much of her life in Show Low. Her last years were spent living in Pinedale, next to her daughter. Everywhere she went, there was at least a stray cat or two that would adopt her without encouragement. Through the slightest movement could make her “sea sick,” it didn’t stop her from sneaking into Show Low to grab some Burger King when she thought no one was paying attention. Juanita could eat almost a whole buttermilk pie in a two-day stretch if you didn’t get to it first. She would go out of her way to be there for her family and give them whatever help she could. She is already sorely missed and was loved greatly. She has gone to join her father, Cecil Earl Phillips; mother Imogene Lucille Glover and her brother Michael Leslie Phillips. Juanita/Jo/Mickey’s legacy is carried on through her brothers and sisters, Earl Phillips Jr., Claudia Ann Dillman, Marion June Mitchell, Donald Eugene Phillips, Bobby Dale Phillips and Sherry Lynn Kramer. Juanita was a loving mother to three children: Vernon Alton Bell, Vance Rodney Bell and Velinda Jo Williamson. She was a proud granny of eight grandchildren: Vernon Lewis Bell, Shelly Marie Ackerly, Tally Amber Fells, Faron Earl Williamson, Vance Edward Williamson, Morgan Jo Williamson, Virginia Anne Williamson and Stephanie Marie Williamson. She leaves her memory to be carried on by five great-grandchildren: Trinity Thorn Serza, Deraya Rose Williamson, Kilaya Lily Williamson, Aidan Walker Williamson and Jacoby Dean Williamson.