Juanita "Dr. J" "Peg" "Neet" "Eya" "Mimi" Lavinia Loundmonclay, 92, passed from earth to eternity in the company of loved ones on September 5, 2023 in Chattanooga, TN.

She was born on August 11, 1931 in Powellton, WV to Albert D. Loundmon and Mattie Collins Loundmon (later Mattie Collins Loundmon Chambers), and was the eldest of seven siblings.

She accepted Christ at the age of five, was a devoted Christian and a member of Redemption To The Nations Church in Chattanooga.

Juanita grew up in Charleston and Kimball, WV, attending and graduating from Garnett High School in Charleston at the tender age of 15. She was a brilliant student and earned her bachelor's degree from West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University) at Institute, an HBCU (historically black college or university). She continued her education earning her master's degree from Indiana University and later her PhD. from the University of Florida.

In 1955 she married Earl Charles Clay, Jr. with whom she had three children, and later divorced.

Juanita began her career as a social worker and mental health professional in Fort Wayne, IN. She started and was named the executive director of the Group Treatment Home of the Mental Health Center in Fort Wayne, the first group treatment home in the state of Indiana in 1967. She was also involved in the beginnings of the Head Start program in Indiana in the late 1960's and early 1970's. She was a member of the executive board of the Indiana State Council on Social Work, and she was named to President Lyndon Johnson's International Platform Association of Washington, D.C.

In addition to being a mental health professional and advocate, Juanita was a champion of the civil rights movement, psychologist, college professor and administrator (University of West Florida, Amherst College, Bluefield State College, an HBCU and Chattanooga State Technical Community College), servant leader, entrepreneur, missionary and community leader. She worked diligently throughout her life in faith-based services and on behalf of the underserved, and served on numerous community and project boards and committees. Her many, many "firsts", recognitions and awards are too numerous to list here.

Juanita was a member of the dwindling number of persons who have been directly involved in the civil rights movement of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. She was very proud of the fact that she was at the 1963 March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream Speech" and, along with other social and civil rights advocates of the day, met with President Lyndon B. Johnson. She was the lone female speaker at the public memorial service attended by thousands in Fort Wayne, Indiana following the assassination of Dr. King in 1968, and she was one of, if not the very first female administrator of an Urban League when she was appointed executive director of the Urban League branch in Anderson, Indiana in 1970. And as a great-grandmother at the tender age of 89, she was invited to be a TedX presenter on the subject of the civil rights movement.

Juanita was a political and community activist, never shying away from using her voice and actions in protest or to support a given cause. She abhorred injustice especially for Black and Brown people, especially for women and especially for the poor and underserved people of any stripe in the community. She attended the inauguration ceremonies for both President Clinton and President Obama, and campaigned for President Obama in both the 2008 and 2012 elections. However, never one to be boxed in or pigeon-holed, she also ran for political office in Indiana on the Republican Party ticket.

Juanita traveled extensively, including a two year period of missionary work and teaching at the American University of the Caribbean in Les Cayes, Haiti. She loved to travel and lived in many places, most notably Charleston, WV where she did much of her growing up; briefly in Marion, IN where she developed a life-long friendship with Pearl Bassett which lasted 60 years; Fort Wayne, IN where she raised her young family and later returned; Indianapolis, IN, Florida and finally Chattanooga, TN.

Juanita didn't have much time for "hobbies". She was always actively working on a project or about to start the next big project. But if she had a favorite hobby, it would have been thrifting and upcycling. She never passed a thrift store or Goodwill that she didn't like, and she was doing it way before it became cool. She loved a good book, but she was always reading to gather information and data. Later in life, she loved watching movies. She was a Bible reference and encyclopedia, she had a brilliant mind, and is the only person we personally know who could actually play the game of Jeopardy and win. It seemed she knew a little something about everything.

Juanita was a piece of lightning; a trailblazer and mentor. She was rare and one-of-a-kind, with very sharp edges. She had high expectations of life, and endeavored to live it to the fullest in meaning and value and service. She loved the Lord most especially and endeavored to do His work, and He loved her so very much. She loved her family and she was a true and loyal friend.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents including Dorothy Loundmon, and her brother Mervyn "Curt" Loundmon.

She is survived by her three daughters Pamela Mitchell, Ocoee, Florida; Kimberly (Arthur) Clay, Frankfort, KY; and Dana (Bruce) Braddock, Hixson, TN; five siblings Patricia (Wendell) Watson, Hesperia, CA; Charles "Chuck" (Vera) Chambers, San Jose, CA;  Frankie Browner, Jeffersonville, IN; Albert "Stan" Loundmon, Novi, MI; and Barbara "BJ" (Herman) Canady, Charleston, WV; ten grandchildren, Curtis (Sonia) Mitchell, Orlando, FL; Courtney Mitchell, Orlando, Florida; Jerry "BJ" Mitchell, Tampa, FL; Arthur Clay, Jr., Houston, TX; Eric Clay "Aaron Israel" (Stephanie), Winchester, KY; Kimberly Gay, Houston, TX; Terrence Braddock, Dallas, TX; Taryn Braddock, Red Bank, TN; Weston Braddock, Hixson, TN; Wynnae Braddock, Hixson, TN; two "special grandchildren" Dominic Simmons and Chauncey Coles, both of Winchester, KY; nine great-grandchildren including Cierra Mitchell, Christian Mitchell, Sophia Mitchell and Charleigh Mitchell; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 13, 2023 in the Hamilton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Joe Clay officiating.  Interment will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery.  Family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Tuesday at Hamilton Funeral Home.

Please share your memories of Juanita with the family at www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343.