Juanda Lou Wiseman serenely concluded her life in Lubbock, Texas, on December 16, 2023, at 94 years of age. Juanda joyfully, faithfully, and lovingly fulfilled her roles as beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She lived as an expansive and accepting spirit, with humor and laughter, with compassion and wisdom, leaving this world a better place because of her presence in it.
Juanda’s mother, Mrs. Lela Pearl [Eaton] Hughes, gave birth to her on January 22, 1929. Juanda graduated from Seminole High School in Seminole, Texas, in 1946. While working in Seminole, Texas, Juanda met Irvin C. Wiseman, the love of her life. They married on April 2, 1950, and together had two daughters, Leslie and Stacey.
Juanda loved making a home that she shaped with the most generous hospitality — spending time in the kitchen; tending her backyard garden; caring for the numerous birds, foxes, turtles, and other visiting creatures that trusted her soft voice and tender hands. Children from her neighborhood, nieces, nephews, and her friends remember her humor and loving warmth and loved the stories that she told about her life growing up in West Texas. As an avid reader and a curious life-long learner, Juanda filled her home with books on many subjects. Her library remained a special solace to her, even as her vision dimmed and she resorted to listening to recordings of her favorite stories.
Juanda had a special connection with nature and animals. From childhood and during her entire life, she befriended all kinds of animals, firmly convinced that all of God’s creatures needed and deserved respect, love, and care. Those creatures for whom she demonstrated such profound affection, in turn, returned to her a special sort of love and communication throughout her life.
After Irvin’s retirement, the couple decided to build a vacation-home on Lake Brownwood. This adventure in creativity took several years to accomplish and all members of the family participated in building the small house together. That period of their lives best sums up the special relationship that Juanda and Irv shared — everything became possible with love and family.
Juanda’s is survived by her oldest daughter, Leslie House and her spouse, John House, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Juanda loved and cherished John as her own son; her youngest daughter, Stacey Anderson of Lubbock, Texas; her sister, Jimmie (Hughes) Williams of Seminole, Texas; her brother, Karl Don Hughes of Seminole, Texas; her dear cousin and life-long best friend, Charlene Cocke; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends and caregiver, Sylvia Stayton.
Members of her beloved immediate family preceded her in death include her cherished spouse, Mr. Irvin C. Wiseman; her parents, Ms. Lela Pearl [Eaton] and Mr. Karl Leslie Earl Hughes; and her oldest sister, Ms. Billie Faye [Hughes] [Mauldin] Pool.
A deep trust and love in God graced Juanda’s life. She demonstrated her faith, love and hope in her interactions with those around her. Many will miss her friendship, her wisdom, her sense of humor. May her memory be our blessing.
The family has scheduled Juanda’s funeral for Friday, December 22, 2023. In lieu of sending flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels where Stacey Anderson has volunteered for several years on Juanda’s behalf.
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