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Nov. 17, 1930 – Dec. 14, 2023

Our dear mother, Juanita Dearman Holyfield, died on December 14, 2023, at 93. Juanita was called “Momma” by her children, “Grandmother” by her grandchildren, and Nita by her siblings and friends.

Juanita was born in Millry, Alabama, on November 17, 1930, to Nezzie and James “Jim” Dearman. She graduated from Buckatunna High School in 1949 and married her high school sweetheart, Elbert Holyfield.

Juanita was the mother to Charles E. Holyfield, Marsha J. Wilson, Amy H. Dunaway, and Paul E. Holyfield. She raised her children in Natchez with love and devotion.

Juanita was a wonderful mother who was always there when they needed her. She had many friends and was a well-loved member of the Natchez community. She was a long-time member of Highland Baptist Church.

Juanita was a cook in the dietary department at Natchez Community Hospital. Her hobbies included reading, embroidery, quilting, sewing, gardening, and solving puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert W. Holyfield, her parents James (Jim) Dearman and Nezzie Bell Payne, her sister Winona Jordan, and her oldest son, Charles E. Holyfield.

Survivors include daughter, Marsha J. Wilson, husband, Larry Wilson of Crane Hill, AL, and daughter Amy. H. Dunaway and husband, Chris Dunaway of Natchez, MS, son Paul E. Holyfield and wife, Lisa Holyfield of Selah, WA, daughter-in-law Nilda J. Holyfield of Fairbanks, AK, sister Sybil D. Taylor of Buckatunna, MS, brother James V. “Buddy” Dearman and wife Rhonda of Buckatunna, brother Omer Dearman and wife Rexanna of Saraland, AL, brother-in-law Edward Holyfield wife, Yvonne of Waynesboro, MS. Grandchildren include Kenneth Holyfield (Gayle) of Monk’s Corner, SC, Kevin Holyfield (Jamie) of Las Vegas, NV, David R. Stokes of Muscle Shoals, AL, Kyle W. Dunaway of St. Francisville, LA, Daniel A. Dunaway (Jendry) of Ocean Springs, MS, Amanda Wiehl (Chris) of Palmer, AK, Tabitha Holyfield of Wasilla, AK, and Rhonda Mallison (Roger) of Little Rock, AR.

Services will be held at Highland Baptist Church on December 19, 2023, at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m.. A graveside service will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Merit Health Natchez, Adams County Nursing Center and Compassus Hospice, as well as Brother Paul Southerland and members of Highland Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Dunaway, Daniel Dunaway, Chris Dunaway, Russ Dunaway, Larry Wilson, and David Stokes.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.