Mrs. Juanita Gooden Morris

March 23, 1943 - November 29, 2021

Mrs. Juanita Gooden Morris was born March 23, 1943 to the union of James and Minnie Pointer Gooden in Talladega, Alabama. At a young age, Juanita confessed Christ and joined Bethel Baptist Church in Alpine, AL, where she was a member of the usher board and served faithfully until her health began to fail and later relocating to Anniston, Alabama. She received her formal education in the Talladega County School system and was a graduate of Talladega County Training High School, known today as Talladega County Central High School. Having a great interest in cooking, Juanita worked in food service as a nutritionist for several years at First Baptist Church in Talladega, Alabama. Juanita affectionately known as "Nita" and the "Candy Lady" was a very kind-hearted loving woman who opened her home to anyone who came alone and needed a place to stay or food to eat. Not only did she enjoy cooking and feeding family and friends, but she also loved her children and grandchildren who were the joys of her life. Juanita was a strong disciplinarian who who always made sure you were always on you best behavior while in her presence. When it came to the game of dominos, Juanita was the best and everyone knew her as the "Playing Queen". On the afternoon of Monday, November 29, 2021, while under the care of Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama, God saw Juanita was getting tired and said come on home my child and take your rest. The Lord placed a clarion call to harken his angel and heard his servants cry "slow down your chariots at the Jordan River and do not pass her by. She has done the work of my plans and need to take her rest, for I know you loved her, but I loved her best." Juanita rejoined the hands of those who preceded her in death including her parents, James and Minnie Gooden, husband, Booze Morris, son, Timothy Gooden, and brothers, Robert Gooden, Stephen Gooden and Mosley L. Gooden. Left to cherish her memory are her loving and caring children, Yvette Cook of Stockbridge, Georgia, Costella (Walter) Swain of Anniston, Alabama and Robert (Felicia) Richardson of Talladega, Alabama; brother, Richard (Annie) Gooden of Birmingham, Alabama; special granddaughter, Tashia Draper, ten grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.