Juanita Ahier Ledbetter

Juanita Ledbetter was born February 8, 1931 as Juanita Myrtle Ahier to Gordon and Eileen Ahier of La Tuque, Canada. Her father was in the logging industry, and her childhood was filled with true winters of skiing and snowshoeing and exploring the outdoors. Her father died when she was only 14. Given that their family was living in northern Canada for her father's work, his death led to Juanita and her mother moving south to Ottawa, where her aunts, uncles, and cousins lived. When she was in her young 20s, she moved to Montreal to live and work. She collected teacups and dishes from the Royal visits, and she followed their happenings closely. In December of 1951, Juanita and her mom took a Greyhound bus and moved to southern California to reconnect with close friends who had moved there years earlier. They became US citizens in 1954.

Once in southern California, Juanita started attending First Baptist Church of Pomona, where she met the love of her life, Jim Ledbetter, in 1953. They met through Youth For Christ, a global ministry dedicated to working with young people and giving them the opportunity to be followers of Jesus Christ. They were married in an evening candlelight service on February 11, 1956 at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California.

Shortly after they were married, they moved to a home in Upland, California and joined the First Baptist Church of San Antonio Heights. She and Jim were true examples of stewarding what they had in support of the Lord. Some of the many ministries they served in were nursery, youth, newlyweds, building program and seniors. They loved people and enjoyed entertaining, so they hosted many groups in their home for everything from elegant dinners to Sip 'n Sings! Over the years, they also opened their home to cousin Judy Cashman from Ottawa, cousin Michael Jordan from Pensacola, Florida, and close family friend, Gary Belton from Upland, California.

Their family grew in May of 1960, when they welcomed a daughter, Janece May. Her ministry, her work, and her leadership continued. She was employed by with Coca Cola Bottling Company as a bookkeeper on January 25, 1952 until her retirement in 1987. Her home was thoughtfully sprinkled with memories of her time there. Her roles over the years led her to support Coke's presence at the annual, month-long LA County Fair. The Fair was always a source of fun and fond memories. She was also a long-time member of the Coca Cola Quarter Century Club.

She was a member of Pilot International, a women's service club. At the local level, she was a many tie president of her club. At the state level, she served as Governor.

In 1982, she welcomed a son-in-law to the family when her daughter married Bill Lowe. Four years later in 1986, the family grew some more, and Juanita became a grandmother. She loved being a grandma, and her role in Robert's life grew even more when Bill passed away in 1994. She and Jim were dedicated to ensuring Robert felt loved – by them and by Jesus – inviting him to his first Vacation Bible School. Ministry and service was a huge part of her life. She and Jim volunteered annually at MusiCalifornia, a conference dedicated to choral church music. She also volunteered for many years at Pomona Valley Hospital and San Antonio Hospital, as a buyer for the gift shop, offering her smile and sweet spirit to those dealing with tough times. It was then that she created and built her grandson's Beanie Babies collection. :)

After retiring from Coca-Cola, Jim and Juanita joined Hillside Community Church in Rancho Cucamonga. She served as the bookkeeper there for over 20 years.

In their senior years, she and Jim joined a senior's group from Hillside and took many trips; including two trips to Branson, Missouri, where they'd spend a week attend shows and concerts. In 2006, they celebrated their wedding anniversary back where they got married 50 years before, at the Mission Inn, this time with the family and friends that had grown over the past five decades. Shortly after that anniversary celebration and after serving at Hillside for over 20 years, she and Jim moved to Atherton Baptist Homes in 2007. It was then that they joined First Baptist Church of Alhambra, where she volunteered in the finance department, the welcome center, the church office and on the Diaconate Board. In her 15 years at Atherton, she was a volunteer, working in the Treasure House, Wholly Grounds Coffee Shop and the Clothing Boutique. The baked goods booth at the annual Country Fair was just another example of how her service created a positive impact. She also chaired the Esther Circle and was Casa Colby's treasurer. Her love for others could be seen in all her interactions. She would take part in Grandparents Day at Culver City Christian School (where Janece worked as a Music Teacher) long after Robert attended, because she knew there would be children whose grandparents couldn't attend. She left others feeling loved, and the impact of that ministry will continue to be felt for years to come.

She found a true-life partner in Jim, and after 56 years of marriage, Jim passed away in September of 2012. It took a few more years for her calendar to slow.

Juanita was a woman who loved Jesus. Though she had accepted Jesus as a child when she joined the Anglican Church, the pastor at the church in Pomona explained how growing up in church is one thing, but you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday in 1953, Juanita went forward and made that decision. She was baptized that very night! She loved to give, do crossword puzzles and color, and she fiercely loved her family, telling everyone she met about her two great-grandchildren every chance she got.

Juanita passed away on March 15, 2022, 5 weeks after celebrating her 91st birthday. She had a party, complete with a cake made by her great-granddaughter and In-N-Out for lunch, a favorite of hers. Her inviting and friendly attitude made her approachable and welcoming to all.

She is survived by her daughter Janece and her husband Dave Schreier; her grandson Robert Lowe, his wife Mary, and their two children, her great-grandchildren, Billie Ellen (4) and Henry Michael (2); step-granddaughter Robin Arcienega and her husband Ray, and great-grandsons Daniel (11), Anthony (10) and Matthew (7); and her niece, Linda Stiles Mayer, her husband Rich Mayer, and their adult children, Grace, Lucy, David Jr., Erik, and Michael.