Juanita Richards

Juanita Richards, age 93, was born July 11, 1931 in Baltimore, MD. She met and later married Alonso Richards (Deceased) and had three children. After several changes in station, she settled and made El Paso, TX her home. Here she attended the first nursing school in El Paso, Hotel Dieu where she earned her LVN Degree while holding the second position in her class (Salutatorian). She then began working as a nurse at McAfee Army Health Clinic at White Sands Missile Range. Needing a change, she chose to work as a Logistician at White Sands where she finished her Civil Service career. Always a constant learner, she earned a Real Estate license and learned several trades to include, tailoring, Jewelry Making, working with stained glass, etching glass, and cake baking and decorating. After her retirement from Civil Service, Juanita returned back to her first love, Nursing. She found employment at Mountain Villa Nursing Center and worked into her 70’s. After ending her second career, she passed the time crafting, learning Spanish and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Juanita was preceded in death by two of her children, Shelita Williams and Alonso Richards. She is survived by her son, DeLano Richards of Minneapolis, MN, her grandchildren, Nicole Merity, Noel and husband Antonio Tillman, and Nichelle (Michelle) Evans of El Paso, TX; Diona and Rumen Petkov of Phoenix, AZ, Drew Richards of Albuquerque, NM and four great-grandchildren, Sariah and Sebastian Tillman, Jiovan Petkov and Talia Rangel. She leaves an indelible mark on several other family and friends around the world. Wake will be from 4:00 - 8:00pm on Monday, November 18, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Home - Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Dr. Prayer Service will take place at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes- Northeast. Committal Service to follow at 11:00am on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 Montana Ave.