Juanita Gathings

Juanita Watkins Gathings passed away October 9, 2018 in Arlington, Texas, the town where she was born, July 17, 1921, to Guy and Ida Coke Watkins. She grew up in Arlington and while attending North Texas Agricultural College, now the University of Texas-Arlington, was a member of the Avalonte Sorority and Lonely Hearts Club. After marrying Maxwell Gathings in March, 1941, she worked as a comptometer operator in Fort Worth and as a clerical worker in several locations in the USA where Maxwell underwent military training before assignment in Saipan during World War II. After the war, now a loving mother of two children, she followed Maxwell to Austin, Texas, where he earned his business degree (The University of Texas), and in support of his career to Fort Worth, Texas, St. Paul, Minnesota, Waco, Texas, and finally Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Juanita and Maxwell lived in Tuscaloosa for more than 30 years where she made many close friends. As a member of Northriver Yacht and Golf Club, Juanita became a skilled golfer. She made many ‘holes in one’ and won numerous golf tournaments and trophies. In 2006, she and Maxwell moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, and after Maxwell’s passing in 2014, Juanita returned to her birth city -- Arlington. Most important to her was love of family, home, and gardening. She was a dedicated wife and detailed story teller of her many childhood and adult experiences. She loved making pies and cookies, but more than anything eating cookies. Juanita is survived by her daughter Nita and husband Mike, son Max and wife Marilyn, grandchildren Susan, Brian and wife Stephanie Anne, Melissa and husband Robert, and Ben and wife Leighanna, and great-grandchildren Ethan, Benjamin, Wallace, and Leo.