of Little Rock, AR

March 30, 1936 - January 21, 2026

Juanita Jean Ferguson-Grimmett, age 89, of Arkansas, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026.

Juanita was born on March 30, 1936, in rural Lonoke County, Arkansas, in an area known as the Tar Bottoms. She was the daughter of John Claude Ferguson and Cecil Dann-Ferguson-Grist. She grew up on a cotton farm, where long days, hard work, and family responsibility shaped her strong work ethic, resilience, and determination from an early age.

On January 1, 1953, she married Robert ''Bob'' Grimes. From this marriage, two sons were born: Robert Grimes Jr. (Marie King-Grimes) and Chris Grimes (Donna Green-Grimes). Bob preceded her in death on July 13, 1959.

Juanita later married Ernest Dalton Grimmett on June 20, 1961. Together they had two children: Mark Grimmett (Elona Wasser-Grimmett) and Anita ''Edie'' Grimmett-Arey (Frank Arey). Frank Arey's daughters, Maddie Arey and Meg Arey-Mirivel (husband Julien), were also part of Juanita's extended family.

Ernest had children from a prior marriage who also became part of Juanita's extended family: Ernest Dalton Grimmett Jr. (wife Mary Jane), both of whom preceded her in death, and who were the parents of Arielle Grimmett-Pettus (husband Eric) and grandparents to Dalton Pettus; Keith Grimmett, father of Eric Grimmett; and Shelia Grimmett-Hughes, mother of Michael, Jamie, and Jacob.

Throughout her life, Juanita worked in many roles, including cotton farming, telephone operations, collections, sewing, and bookkeeping. No matter the job, her greatest calling and proudest role was being a devoted mother and the heart of her family. She was also a two-time breast cancer survivor, facing each battle with quiet strength, determination, and unwavering faith.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, John Claude Ferguson and Cecil Dann-Ferguson-Grist; her sister, Margaret; her brother, James; her grandson, Mason Grimes (2025); and her stepson Ernest Dalton Grimmett Jr. and his wife Mary Jane.

She is survived by her children, Robert Grimes Jr. (Marie King-Grimes), Chris Grimes (Donna Green-Grimes), Mark Grimmett (Elona Wasser-Grimmett), and Anita ''Edie'' Grimmett-Arey (Frank Arey).

She is also survived by her grandchildren:
Leah Grimes-Payne (husband Zach), Ashley Mauldin (husband Tom), Arielle Grimmett-Pettus (husband Eric), Adam Grimmett (wife Heather), Courtney Grimes-Thessing (husband Jeff), Maddie Arey, Meg Arey-Mirivel (husband Julien), Mason Grimes preceded in death 2025 (wife Alysia), Natalie Frazier, Sonya Pawloski, Amber Pawloski, Trent Grimmett, Fallon Mauldin-Lee (husband Nathan), and Rhett Grimmett.

She is further survived by her great-grandchildren, Lily Payne, Zoey Payne, Jack Thessing, Margo Thessing, Dalton Pettus, Benny Grimmett, Caroline Grimmett, Woodrow Lee, Claire Mirivel, and John Luke Mirivel, along with extended family and many friends who loved her deeply.

Juanita will be remembered for being kind and sweet, yet fiercely protective when it came to her family. She loved Diet Coke, western movies, and Louis L'Amour western novels. She was never fond of pets because they were dirtyâ€"though she always tried to be polite about it. Christmas and Thanksgiving were her favorite holidays, and she spared no expense and no ounce of energy to make everyone feel special. Her Easter egg hunts were legendary, filled with candy and ''big money'' eggs that the grandchildren battled over.

More than anything else, Juanita treasured time with family and friends, and her greatest wish was that her children and grandchildren would know Christ so she could see them again in heaven. While this is a season of winter for those who loved her, it is the most beautiful spring she has ever known.

A Celebration of Life service will be held January 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Roller Funeral Home in England, Arkansas, with Pastor Linda Corpier officiating. Burial will follow at Mulberry Cemetery.

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