Atoka Cemetery, Novice, Coleman County, Texas

Fifty year pin

Order Of The Eastern Star

2012

May 2009 Homecoming

With friend Dee KIRBY

May 2008 Homecoming

Inez BATES CHITWOOD ARCHER, Juanita THOMPSON

SHIELDS,

Hulene BATES ARCHIE, Billie Jean PARHAM MITCHELL

May 2007 Homecoming

Juanita THOMPSON SHIELDS, front and center

(left) Sue PARKER SHIELDS and Bill SHIELDS,

(right) Loren SHIELDS and his wife Peggy SHIELDS

May 2006 Homecoming

With friend Linda STOKES

May 2005 Homecoming

With her nephew Bill SHIELDS and his wife Sue PARKER

SHIELDS

May 2004 Homecoming

With friend Linda STOKES

May 2003 Homecoming

May 2002 Homecoming

With her nephew Bill SHIELDS and his wife Sue PARKER

SHIELDS

May 2001Homecoming

With her nephew Bill SHIELDS and his wife Sue PARKER

SHIELDS

May 2000 Homecoming

With her nephew Bill SHIELDS

May 1999 Homecoming

May 1998 Homecoming

May 1997 Homecoming

May 1996 Homecoming

Texas Historical Marker Dedication

May 1996 Homecoming

May 1993 Homecoming

With husband Jack SHIELDS

May 1992 Homecoming

With husband Jack SHIELDS

May 1991 Homecoming

With husband Jack SHIELDS

Juanita Shields

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Latest update: Tuesday, 08 April, 2014

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Thelma Juanita THOMPSON SHIELDS

1918 to 2013

For decades, Juanita SHIELDS was the backbone and the heart of the

Atoka Cemetery Association.  She helped established the Association, was

a Board member until 2008, and can be credited for most of the work to

maintain and refurbish the Atoka Cemetery. In addition, she found

diaspora-ed family members, inviting them back into the Atoka Cemetery

family.

In addition to the annual 1996 Homecoming, the Texas Historical Marker for

Atoka Cemetery was dedicated during this gathering. The Texas Historical

Marker was donated to the Atoka Cemetery in memory of the life and work

of Jack SHIELDS.

The Atoka Cemetery --

and the families of those buried there --

owe an immeasurable debit of gratitude to

Juanita THOMPSON SHIELDS.

[editorial comment]

[Posted at  North's Funeral Home, Abilene, Taylor Co, TEXAS.]

[In .pdf format.]

Obituary for (Thelma) Juanita Shields

(Thelma) Juanita Thompson Shields, 95, died on December 24, 2013, her

favorite day of the year. She lived her life with fullness, faith, and verve. And

as she wished, she passed peacefully from a brief illness. All services will

be held Saturday, January 4, 2013. Visitation will be held at North’s Funeral

Home, 242 Orange St, Abilene, [Taylor and Jones Cos] TX 79601 from 9:00

am to 11:00 am. Funeral services will be held at Hopewell Baptist Church,

State Highway 153, Crews, [Runnels Co] Texas at 2:00 pm. with burial to

follow in Atoka Cemetery, intersection of Coleman County Roads 441/ 490

west of Novice, [Coleman Co] Texas.

Juanita was born on December 12, 1918 in Silver Valley, [Coleman Co]

Texas to Charles Spurgeon and Eva Camilla Beall Thompson in her father’s

ancestral house. Both the Thompson and Beall families have been in

Coleman County, since the mid-1800’s. She grew up in Silver Valley and

attended Silver Valley and Novice schools. After graduation, she married

Jack Shields. Together they had four children, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great-

grandchildren. They were married for 57 years [about 1937], until his death

in 1994.

Jack’s career as a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety

offered the couple many opportunities to move throughout the state. As the

children grew older, Juanita began her own career in 1950 as an

Optometric Assistant with Dr. Reese Nowlin, in Perryton, [Ochiltree Co]

Texas. When they moved to Abilene, Texas in 1954, she joined Dr. Grady

Jolly’s practice where she worked alongside Drs. Jolly, Jimmy McNeil, and

James Wadley until her retirement in 1983. She was a beloved part of the

staff known for her professionalism, kindness, holiday sweets and

everything red.

Juanita and Jack retired to the Shields ranch near Novice, Texas and the

historical Atoka community where Juanita enjoyed various hobbies and

pursued a wide range of interests. She devoted her days to quilting, making

ceramics for friends and family, creating do-it-your-self crafts, decorating

and entertaining for holidays, socializing, and working on community

projects. Most special were her weekends hosting family such as grandson

Chris, organizing the Shields Cousins Reunions every 4th of July and

lighting the ranch for Christmas (reputed to be visible by space). And it

wasn’t unusual to see her have Sunday and Monday gatherings during

football season to satisfy her passion for the game.

A devoted and joyful Christian she was a member of First Baptist Church of

Abilene for 29 years with 20 of those years as a nursery attendant

volunteer. Many still refer to her as the “Baby Whisperer”. Her calming and

reassuring confidence would relax and quiet the most upset of babies. The

move to the ranch started a 30 year membership at Hopewell Baptist

Church of Crews and her famous Christmas Parties which were always

filled with joy, Christmas carols and lots of sweets and treats.

Juanita was a Lifetime member of the  Order of the Eastern Star. She was

Past Worthy Matron, River Oaks Chapter # 1013 and a member of

Coleman Chapter # 360. She treasured the sisterhood bonds formed with

the members. In 2012 she received her 50 year membership award.

Following Jack’s death in 1994, she remained at the ranch and continued

her many activities until illness dictated her move to Abilene in 2008. She

lived at Royal Estates Assisted Living and moved to Wesley Court Skilled

Nursing in 2010 where she resided until her death. At both locations her

passion for decorating for the holidays was legendary. Her room at

Christmas became a regular stop for staff and visitors alike. The kindness

and caring of the staffs at each facility will always be appreciated by the

family.

Juanita loved beautiful red flowers and unique arrangements, but in lieu of

flowers, donations may be made to Disability Resources, Inc., Attn:

Memorials and Honorariums, P.O. Box 1880, Abilene, TX 79604.

She was preceded in death by: husband, Jack Shields (1918-1994);

daughter, Jacqueline Shields (Hubert) (1938-1995); son, Joe Milton Shields

(1942), son, Judson Payne Shields (1944-1994).

She is survived by: daughter, Jenniffier Shields Hawes, husband David and

children; daughter-in-Law, Rosalind Craver Shields Buffaloe, husband Tom

and children; granddaughter, Lynly Ann Shields Stephen, husband Eric and

daughters; grandson, Christopher Payne Shields; granddaughter, Victoria

Page Hawes and children; grandson, Jeffrey M. Hawes, wife Angela and

son; nephew, W.M. (Bill) Shields, wife Sue and sons; nephew, L.L (Tobe)

Shields, wife Peggy and sons; nephew, Doug Shields, wife Judy and

daughters; niece, Diane Shields Reynolds and children; and, niece, Twila

Shields Bard, husband Larry and sons.

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