Juanita Wilkins

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Mrs. Juanita Vowell Wilkins, 91 of Ruleville, MS was called home to be with the Lord on February 8, 2023.

A Visitation will be held Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Ray Funeral Home from 1-2PM with a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00P.M. Graveside will follow in the Leherton Cemetery in Ruleville, MS.

Juanita was born on August 25, 1931 in Lake Providence, LA to Mr. Willie Marvin Vowell & Mrs. Ruby Gibson Vowell. Juanita grew up in Ruleville, MS and attended and graduated from Ruleville High School. Juanita married Edward Story right after high school.  Juanita and Edward had four children. In 1963 Juanita married James “Buck” Wilkins, and had three daughters.

Juanita and Buck moved to Michigan from Eudora, AR in the mid ‘70’s where she was a stay at home mother and returned to Ruleville, MS in 1981.   They owned and operated the River Road Restaurant in Ruleville, MS until 2001.  Juanita enjoyed running the business where she was reunited with old friends and made many new friends.  River Road was a family run business where you could always find a family member behind the counter working.  There are not many people in the Ruleville/Drew area that do not have a “River Road” story to tell.  After selling the business she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially if one would take her to the casino.  Juanita valued her family above all else and would do whatever she could for any of them. Her favorite times were when her family gathered together to celebrate any and all occasions.

Juanita is preceded in death by her husband James F. “Buck” Wilkins, her parents, Willie & Ruby Vowell, children, Jackie Story Westbrook, and Janice Story Marquis, and great granddaughter, Lora Ashleigh Westbrook, siblings, Imogene (Franklin) Terrell, Ruby Nell (Eddie) Seghers, Margie (Charles) Powers, and Jack (Jo) Vowell.

Juanita is survived by her children, Marvin Story (Julie) of Bay St. Louis, MS., Bob Story (Devon) of  Tuscola, IL., Jean Wilkins (Earline) of Mt. Pleasant, MI., Mary Griffin (Allen) of Drew, MS., Lois Williams (Marcus) of York, PA., one brother, James Kenneth “Yogi” Vowell (Lady Jane) of Huntsville, AL., twelve grandchildren, Conn Westbrook, John Story, Libby McRight (John), Merideth Van Namen (Stephen), Jared Story (Kristin), Andrea McCann (Tim), Jackson Griffin, Malynn Griffin, Jessica Cummins, Meghan West (Tyler), Olivia Williams, Dallas Williams, and twelve loving great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to recognize the staff at Walter B. Crook Nursing Facility in Ruleville, MS for the love they showed.  A special thanks to Chiquita Prayer for her love for our mother.

Pallbearers, John Story, Jackson Griffin, Reg Shurden, Tim McCann, Tyler West