“Welcome home thy good and faithful servant.” Juanita Stephens, 89, of Ashland, went home to be with The Lord on August 20, 2019. She was born on January 17, 1930 in Boyd County, KY to the late Horton and Addie Swartz Beacraft. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by husbands Joe Arnett and Ollie Stephens, an infant son Stephen Horton Arnett, a daughter Josie Stephens and a son-in-law Mark VanBibber.
Juanita had worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for Ashland Acoustical & VanBibber Ceilings and Floor, Jim Moore Architectural Services, and Hope’s Dry Cleaners. She was a Christian with a staunch faith and was a member of Central Baptist Church for 81 years. She was also the author of the Bible Easy Study Guide, and received recognition from the United States Deputy Sheriffs’ Association as the 2015 Citizen of the Year.
She is survived by her daughter Becky VanBibber, granddaughter Megan VanBibber and great grandson Eli VanBibber, who brought so much joy and light to her life in the last seven years. Juanita is also survived by a sister Cora Powell, niece Anna (Stephen) Fornash and nephews Don Robinson and Jay (Cindy) Robinson all of Lexington; great nephews Nathan Robinson, Jason (Brittany) Robinson, Jesse (Elizabeth) Robinson and Clayton Robinson all of Lexington and a great niece Amelia (Byron) Armstrong of Louisville.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 23rd at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel and will be officiated by Pastor Joed Rice. Pallbearers will be Stephen Fornash, Nathan Robinson, Jay Robinson, Jason Robinson, Jesse Robinson and Byron Armstrong. Honorary pallbearers will be Eli VanBibber and Don Robinson. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM. Friends may make contributions in her memory to Community Hospice. 1480 Carter Avenue, Ashland, Ky. 41101. Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhome.com
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