Maples Juanita

Surrounded by family, Juanita Maples, 87, was gloriously escorted into her heavenly home Sunday morning, October 14, 2007, at 12:45 a.m. The youngest of 10 children, Juanita was born on June 5, 1920, to John Perry and Callie Belle (Norman) Steele of Ponce de Leon, Mo. She spent her entire life in Ponce de Leon, attending and graduating from Abesville High in 1939. Juanita married Leonard L. Maples on July 8, 1939. They were happily married for 49 years. Juanita dedicated her life to the Lord in her home in February of 1954 and was baptized with her husband on April 19, 1959. She was a devoted member and Secretary/Treasurer of Highlandville Assembly of God for a number of years. Juanita was preceded in death by her mother and father; five sisters; four brothers; and husband Leonard L. Maples on May 8, 1988. Survivors include two daughters, "Gena? Devery Mills and husband, Stephen, of Marathon, Fla., and Tammie Kerans and husband, Rocky, of Galena, Mo.; a very special girl that she only got to raise for a short time but always considered a daughter, Debbie Withrow and husband, Greg, of Quincy, Calif.; granddaughter whom she raised, Robin Marshall and husband, Matt, of Nixa, Mo.; five grandchildren, Ashley (Kerans) Holt and husband, Shawn of Ozark, Mo., Cody Kerans of Galena, Mo., Christina Moore and husband Kenneth, Joshua LaLoge and wife, Christina, and Chris Chaffin, all of Springfield, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Victoria Marshall, Matthew Marshall, Zachariah Moore and Krystal Moore; special niece Ernestine Bennett and husband, Earl, of Springfield, Mo.; her beloved dog, Peppy; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. This amazing, remarkable woman was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Next to her love of God, family was the most important thing to her. Her life was a powerful testimony of her dedication to God's service, and even in her death, gave her family compelling evidence of God's love. She will be greatly missed, and we know she will be sending us all her "Love and Prayers?. Visitation will be held at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa, Mo., on Wednesday, October 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in First Assembly of God in Highlandville, Mo., on Thursday, October 18 at 2 p.m. with Reverends Gary Phipps and Ken Hunt officiating. Burial will follow in Ponce de Leon Cemetery. (The Springfield News-Leader)