Juanita O. Hope Obituary

Juanita Ordean Hope was peacefully called home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 22, 2025 just shy of her 86th birthday.

Juanita was born on September 23,1939 in Greensboro Alabama (Hale County).  She was one of thirteen children born to Willie E. and Mattie Hope.  After the passing of their mother, her older sister Alberta helped care for her siblings. Her love for music developed as a child. She learned to play the piano and played for the Mt. Moriah Church Choir where her father was the pastor.  Juanita attended public schools in Hale County Alabama and after graduating from high school, she studied music at Alabama State College.

Following her college studies, Boston became her home. She was employed by local universities including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, conducting research interviews. This was a job she thoroughly enjoyed as it allowed her to interact with a variety of people.  Although she was the only member of her family residing in the Boston area her love for her siblings, nieces and nephews was certainly known.  She would marvel at their accomplishments and enjoy attending annual family reunions in various states.

Juanita joined Twelfth Baptist Church circa 1970. One of her earliest involvements in ministry was as a counselor in 1971 at TBC's week-long overnight camp, Camp Advenchur in Alton Bay, New Hampshire. She later served for several years as a Girl Scout leader mentoring young girls.  Juanita's love of music urged her to found the Twelfth Baptist Church Handbell Choir ministry in 1976. She purchased a two-octave set of brass handbells with her own resources. This unique ministry became a special love and focus of her life. Under her leadership, the ministry went beyond the walls of TBC to several other churches and annually to Faneuil Hall, downtown Boston for their celebration ushering in the holiday season.  Juanita had a drive for excellence that was reflected in her strong leadership. One of the most moving and memorable times of Sunday service was when Juanita would play a handbell solo of a hymn or some other sacred song.  She would strategically and methodically pick up the bells, passionately ring the bells, replace them with other bells, playing the whole song without missing a note and with perfect timing!  A highlight of the year for Juanita was in February when the Handbell Choir hosted the Valentine's Day Love Fest for the seniors of Twelfth Baptist Church. She looked forward to not only having the bellringers prepare a delicious meal for the seniors, but made sure the bellringers were dressed in red and had the decorations just right for the occasion.

Juanita also served as a faithful member of the Deaconess Ministry, the Chapel Choir, Combined Choir, Audio Visual Ministry, Missions Ministry and Women's Fellowship.  She had a keen sense of humor and a wit that made her a pleasure to be around.

Juanita had the gift of hospitality and a special love for people whom she greeted with a beautiful smile.  She enjoyed entertaining, having "get togethers", sharing a meal she prepared for friends and sitting around chatting about the goodness of the Lord. Juanita loved studying the Bible and had several favorite passages of scripture, one being Proverbs 3:5 & 6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Juanita was an avid tennis player and was a member of a local tennis club over the years.  She particularly enjoyed engaging in matches with her brothers Eugene and Cleophus.

If you ever visited Juanita's apartment, you would see she had a love for orchid plants, butterflies and for a variety of bells which she collected.

Another interest she valued was participating in the Annual Walk For Hunger.  Her involvement encouraged others to also participate in this event over time.

As the issues of memory loss became more apparent Juanita's faith never wavered and her commitment to a loving Savior never ceased.   She would pray for those she loved and would always say "into Thy hands O Lord".  She leaves a legacy of walking with the Lord and a life of living out the lyrics of the Handbell Choir's  theme song, "They will know we are Christians by our Love by our Love, yes they will know we are Christians by our Love."

Juaniita is preceded in death by her parents Willie E. and Mattie Hope and siblings Ophelia, Annie, Betsy, Naomi, Elizabeth, Alberta, and Cleophas.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sister Augusta and brothers Roosevelt, Willie James, Moses and Eugene. In addition she leaves a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews whose lives were shaped by her generosity and love.

Juanita will always be remembered by her many friends and her precious friends Sarah Freeman, Beverly Byron and Glynnette and Richard Scott who regularly visited her at Hebrew Rehab.

Interment

Mt Moriah Cemetery

Greensboro, Alabama