Juanita Mae Garfield was born July 20, 1930, in Hinton, WV. Her childhood home was Beckley, WV. Juanita graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV in June 1948. Juanita enrolled at Marshall University in Huntington, WV earning a BA, and an MA in Elementary Education. She did Post Grad Math Methods studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Juanita enrolled in the University of Missouri where she received her Doctor of Education degree. In addition, she received Reading Certification from Eastern Michigan University and had drug training in the State of Florida.

Juanita began her school teaching in Michigan at Long Acre Elementary School in Farmington MI where she taught for 10 years. Afterwards she was on the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Missouri for 2 years. Upon completion of her doctorate, she became a professor in the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University for 17 years. Later she taught as an Assistant Professor at Auburn University in Auburn, AL for 1 year. She culminated her teaching profession being assigned to Yemen as Project Leader for Eastern Michigan University. USAID from 1982-83 and taught English to the Yemen Military. She appeared in "Who's Who in American Midwest."  After retirement in 1985, Juanita worked in six different part-time positions for Pensacola Junior College as a grant writer and Curriculum Specialist, and in Drug Ed., Health Diagnostician, Ed. Counselor. Eventually, she also worked as a realtor.

Other positions and involvements included Pensacola Beach Women's Club {President}, Pensacola Little Theater Guild {President}, Pensacola Bridge Club {Life Master}, Five Flags Dog Training Club {Club Member of the Year 2014}, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of American Colonists. Other involvements include being a Sunday School teacher for 25 years, Sunday School Director for 5 years, Congregational Care Committee, and Co-Moderator of Presbyterian Women. She traveled in Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Yemen. She enjoyed gardening, reading, dog competition {obedience, rally, agility, canine square dancing}, nurturing her family and nurturing church family.

Juanita married James Noel Wilmoth in 1953 and was divorced in 1972. At that time Juanita had two children: Noel and Penny. She then married James Monjar Garfield in 1973. Jim had three children: Robert, Jeannie, and Nancy. They blended two sets of children into a happy family. Today this family leaves 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, living in Alabama, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, and Canada.

Juanita was an active church member all her life, baptized as a Baptist. When Jim and Juanita moved to Florida, they became members of First Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze. In 2006, the couple joined First Presbyterian of Gulf Breeze enjoying many member tasks, activities, and Bible studies.  For 15 years before her stroke Jim and Juanita raised Prince of Aragon, a champion agility sheltie show dog. During this time, they were involved in many activities with the Five Flag Dog Club where Prince did his training and shows.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Breeze on Saturday March 16th, 2024, at 11:00 am.

Juanita was buried beside Jim Garfield at Pensacola Naval Air Station at Barrancas National Cemetery on Thursday, December 28, 2023, in a Private Family Service.