Juanita Louise West

Juanita Louise (Clayton) West was born on February 7, 1942 in Bristow, Oklahoma to Lawrence and Opal (Brewer) Clayton.Juanita graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1959. She worked for many years as an accounts receivable clerk.

Juanita was married to Hershel West for nearly forty yearsbefore he passed away. They shared a deep love that endured many challenges. Juanita loved to read and go on family trips to Pismo Beach. Every week, she attended church with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed family lunches between the morning and evening services. Juanita baked pies every Christmas and hosted biscuits and chocolate gravy breakfasts.

Juanita’s Christian faith was very important to her. Juanita was active in the Pentecostal Ladies Association and volunteered in various ministries over the years. She passed on her faith to her children and her children’s children and their children; it is her living legacy. Though small in stature, Juanita possessed great faith, and many would come to her for prayer. She adored babies and would often speak blessings over their lives. Juanita was fiercely loyal to those she loved and welcomed additional“chosen” sons and daughters to her family. She walked into glory on January 25, 2022.

In addition to her father and husband, Juanita was predeceased by her siblings Don Clayton, Claud Clayton, and Phyllis Lamb.Surviving are her daughter Shelley Smith and husband Alan of Bakersfield, CA; son Ronnie Oates and wife Leah of Citrus Heights, CA; daughter Kimberly Reid and husband Robert of Bakersfield, CA; and daughter Kristy Lopez and husband Luis of Delano, CA. Juanita had 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her mother and siblings Doug Clayton of Laughlin, NV; Paul Clayton of Bakersfield, CA; and Patti Holbrook of Okmulgee, OK.

Juanita will be laid to rest next to her husband on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 10 am at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA. Amemorial will take place on the same day at 1 pm at Celebration Church Northwest, 10011 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA.

Juanita wrote this quote in her Bible: “Love is that which causes one person to desire the most good to come to another and is willing to do whatever is necessary to bring it about.” She loved her family in this way. She worked hard to provide for her family and to model how to live out the Christian faith for the generations.