GREENVILLE – Juanita G. Richardson, 100, of Greenville, was called home to meet her Savior Friday, July 11, 2025, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in Owensboro. Born May 15, 1925, in Paducah, Juanita’s life was a symphony of joy, creativity, and faith, touching countless hearts over her centennial journey.
A self-employed piano and organ teacher, Juanita instilled the love of music in many generations. For 15 to 20 years, she also served as a dedicated substitute teacher. Her work within various communities, especially her involvement with Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, showcased her unwavering commitment to service and spiritual growth.
In addition to her love for music, Juanita enjoyed life’s simple pleasures through cooking, gardening, and gracefully hosting family and friends. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, including an unforgettable motorcycle trip to Niagara Falls while in their 70’s.
Juanita shepherded many congregations alongside her husband, who pastored churches from McCracken County to Marshall County, Muhlenberg County, the Kentucky Lakes area, Lexington area churches and even extending their ministries to Florida. They shared their faith with many of the Navajo people on numerous mission trips. After retiring from the ministry she resided in Versailles, Ky. where she was affectionately nick-named the “Queen of Versailles” by family and friends. Juanita was a true “people person” who never met a stranger, a testament to her open heart and generous spirit. She had the unique gift of making every individual feel seen, heard, and valued.
Survivors include her two daughters, Sharon Gilliland (Ray) of Belton and Lura Foster (Terry) of Gosport, Ind.; ten grandchildren; Shane Arnold (Jeanie), Jeff Arnold (Laura), Michelle Arnold, Wayne McCarthy (Sheila), Chris McCarthy, Jennifer Whittington (Shawn), Heather Edwards (Chad), Melanie Griffin (David), Corrie Gilliland, and Erik Foster (Anna); 22 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Eugene “Fred” Richardson; parents, Garlon and Agnes Lura Walton Sills; one son, Ronnie Richardson; one infant daughter, Mary Evelyn Richardson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, 1003 Poplar Street, Benton, Kentucky 42025 with Bro. Ray Gilliland officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Church Cemetery, 2603 Tatumsville Highway, Gilbertsville, KY 42044.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Gideon’s International, The Gideon’s International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251, or online at www.gideons.org; or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, or online at www.heart.org.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.filbeckandcann.com.
