Juanita Rickman

Juanita Rickman, 77, of Union City, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 4, 2026, in her hometown. Born on November 29, 1948, she spent her entire life rooted in the community she loved.

Juanita was educated in the Union City School System and graduated with the Miles High School Class of 1967. She later attended Business School in Nashville, Tennessee, furthering her education and preparing for a dedicated career. She worked for many years at Salant & Salant shirt factory before embarking on a remarkable tenure of over thirty years with Baptist Memorial Hospital of Union City, where her commitment and work ethic left a lasting impression.

Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. Juanita was a long-time member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Union City before later uniting with Kingdom Harvest Brooks Chapel in Fulton, Kentucky. Her relationship with the Lord was genuine and deeply personal.

Juanita had a passion for creating beauty and comfort in her surroundings. She loved planting flowers and took great joy in decorating her kitchen table for the holidays. Reading was another pastime she cherished, offering her moments of peace and reflection. Though not an outdoor enthusiast, she found enjoyment in watching television—especially soap operas like *Dark Shadows*, *General Hospital*, and *All My Children*, as well as game shows. During basketball season, she could often be found watching games, even if she didn’t have a favorite team.

As an only child, Juanita formed close bonds with her next door neighbors Paulette and Lydia Dysart during her childhood, spending countless days together through the seasons. Her caring nature extended to children; though she never had children of her own, she became affectionately known as "Aunt Juan" to many of her friends' children: Shayla Singer White; Elisha and Lamar Fisher; Brianca Dysart Douglas; and Brandi Alexander-Jefferies and Tracey Taylor. This love carried on to their children as well: Taylen, Brooke, Ariona, Bry'Nyah, Adonais, Kennedy, and Breaunia.

Juanita’s sense of humor and personality shone through even in unexpected ways. Though she never learned to drive despite wanting to, she found amusement in posing behind the wheel with one arm propped on the window—a memory that brought smiles to those who knew her best.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Will and Sophie Easley; her mother Mary Rickman; and her father James Rickman. She is survived by a host of cousins who cherished her dearly: Deborah Ingram and James Ingram of Union City; Anita Dunn and Florence Owens of Woodbridge, Virginia; Michael Williams of Columbia, South Carolina; Patrice Shields, Najaneiro Pullen, Pamela Pullen, and Robert Pullen of Nashville, Tennessee; along with many other cousins and friends who will forever hold her memory close.

Juanita’s life was enriched by the companionship of dear friends who were her caregivers through her illness: Charlotte and Donald Southern; Elisha Fisher; Kinsley Campbell; Shayla White; Jackie Quinn; Katie Steward; Phyllis Milligan; Valeria Hyde; Paulette Dysart; and many others whose lives were touched by her kindness.

Juanita Rickman will be remembered as a caring soul who brought warmth to those around her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. May she rest in peace.

Services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at McPhearson-Rawls Funeral Home. Interment will follow in East View Cemetery.

There will be no visitation. 

McPhearson-Rawls Funeral Home - Union City 731-885-8110