Juanita Cullins Walls, a beautiful and beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully transitioned in her Denver, Colorado home on July 8, 2024, at the remarkable age of 99. Born on June 12, 1925, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Med Cullins and Erma Holloway, Juanita's life was filled with love, dedication, and impactful contributions to her family and community.
A church-loving woman of grace, elegance, and unwavering strength, Juanita was known for her unconditionally loving, caring, and kind nature. With a unique ability to see the good in people, she was a great listener and a loyal friend. Her quiet confidence, optimism, and determination to always do what was right left an indelible mark on the world, making it a better place for all who knew her.
Juanita was a devoted wife to the late Cartelyou Walls (March 1976) and a loving mother to Carlotta W. LaNier, Loujuana W. Terry, and Tina A. Walls. Her legacy continues through her daughters, their spouses (Ira C. LaNier and Alan E. Terry), her grandchildren (Whitney C. LaNier, Jevin Terry, Brooke McClean (spouse Julian McClean), Russell Terry, and Shana B. Terry), her great-grandchildren (Cartel and Chase Terry, Reese Booker-LaNier, and Jalen McClean), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins around the world, all of whom carry forward her spirit of love and resilience.
Juanita was a product of Little Rock’s school system, attending Stephens Elementary, Dunbar High, Dunbar Jr. College, and Philander Smith College. She worked for the Little Rock Housing Authority, Kansas City Housing Authority, and the State of Colorado. After retiring in 1987, she continued to volunteer, sharing her love of art, music, travel, photography, and sports (an avid supporter of all Denver’s sports teams) with everyone around her.
A social justice pioneer and staunch advocate for education, Juanita inspired Carlotta’s integration of Central High School as the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine and the first Black female to graduate from the school. Her steadfast commitment to educational access continued through her youngest two daughters, sending them to the best schools available in Little Rock, Kansas City, and Denver. Juanita was an early supporter of Planned Parenthood and a voting rights activist during the Jim Crow era in Arkansas.
She will be reunited with her eternal life partner at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Thursday, July 25, 2024, and a celebration of her life will be held at Park Hill United Methodist Church on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Juanita C. Walls to one of her favorite organizations:
- - Little Rock Nine Scholarship Fund at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service (Little Rock, AR)
- - National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington DC)
- - Park Hill United Methodist Church (Denver, CO)
Below is the stream for the memorial service or on YouTube, Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver.