A Life of Faith, Service, & Joy
Born in her family’s home in Kirkwood, Missouri on March 11, 1926, Juanita Hatch was the fifth of nine children. From a young age, she was taught the value of faith, family, and hard work, principles that would shape her remarkable life.
In 1952, Juanita married BT Hatch, a devoted railroad worker. Together, they built a life rooted in love, raising two sons. That legacy has since grown to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, each one a source of pride and joy.
Juanita’s path of service began early. She spent a year working at the Baptist Home for Children in Royal Oak, Michigan, before embarking on a long and fulfilling career as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher. She retired at age 55, but her love for learning and teaching never left her. She began teaching Sunday school around the age of 20 and only recently stepped down, at 99 years old! The pastor at her church in Ozark jokingly calls her the oldest Sunday school teacher in the state. Juanita humbly laughs and says, “There’s no way he can know that for sure.”
Education was important to Juanita. She studied at William Jewell College and went on to earn her master’s degree from Baylor University. But her greatest education, she says, came through her faith. She gave her life to Jesus during a revival at just nine years old, sitting beside her mother. Since then, she has lived a life of unwavering devotion.
Now a cherished resident at Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries, Juanita says she’s known since the age of 3 that “The Baptist Home was the place to go.” What stood out to her then, and still today, is how everyone is treated equally. Her favorite part of living here is getting to know others and learning how she can pray for them.
In her free time, Juanita enjoys a full schedule of activities, though she’s quick to admit that Bingo isn’t her thing. She especially loved canning throughout her life, and with BT growing the produce, she canned just about anything imaginable.
Juanita Hatch is a woman of quiet strength, deep humility, and unshakable faith. We’re honored to have her as part of the Baptist Homes family.
