Juanita Pitchford

Juanita D. Pitchford brought joy, comfort, and support to all who met her. She was born Juanita Diane Bullock on October 22, 1947 to John R. Bullock Jr. (deceased) and Lillian Adeeb Bullock. Two years later, she was joined by her brother, John R. Bullock III.

Born in New York and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, she attended Teaneck High School in New Jersey. She was baptized at St. Augustine Presbyterian Church in the Bronx, N.Y. She was involved in the choir, an usher, Girl Scouts, Sunday school, vacation bible school and various church and school groups and activities. She attended Cheyney University in Pennsylvania and received her degree from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.

In her 46 years of marriage to Robert W. Pitchford Sr., she raised five children, first in New York City and then after relocating to Fredericksburg, Va. While her children were young, she enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and volunteering with Girl Scouts and other community organizations.

As her children aged, she returned to work where she has made an indelible mark on many facets of the Fredericksburg community. Early on she worked at Mary Washington Hospital as a telephone operator. There she quickly became a friendly face and voice in the hospital community. She loved working at the hospital for many years even as she pursued other career opportunities. Juanita also worked in the Dean's Office at the University of Mary Washington, where she inspired many students. For younger students, she was a mentor and trusted adult figure. For older students, she was an inspiration, as she had also finished her college degree as a working adult with a family. Juanita also worked at Carriage Hill, where she provided comfort and care to the residents.

In her career, she was most proud of her work as the Director of Elections. In addition to her regular responsibilities, she undertook a number of efforts to ensure voting fairness. She fought for college students to be able to vote in the state of the school they were attending. This effort made it much easier for students to participate in the voting process and to have a voice in the locale in which they were residing. She worked with the organization, Open Hand of Fredericksburg, to offer opportunities to under-resourced youth to secure sustainable employment through education, leadership development and long-term committed relationships. However, she was most proud of her work as Director of Elections to restore voting rights for convicted felons. She worked with individuals, attended fairs, distributed fliers, and worked with local organizations to spread information and encourage people to reinstate their voting rights. Her commitment to the voting process was something that not only brought her personal joy but also inspired others to actively participate in the democratic process.

Juanita participated in many community organizations. She continued her life-long love of girl scouting by re-instating the Girl Scout troops at Shiloh Old Site Baptist church and leading the Daisy troop for several years. Juanita helped to rebuild the Fredericksburg chapter of the NAACP. She fulfilled a long-standing dream of joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was a member of the Fredericksburg Chapter of the National Organization for the Advancement of Hispanics.

More than anything else, Juanita was devoted to family and relished her role of grandmother most of all. She spent many hours with her grandchildren, helping them with homework, taking them to school activities, traveling with them, and loving them.

An angel in life, Juanita became an angel in heaven on April 10, 2017. She will be loved and missed by her husband Robert W. Pitchford Sr.; children Aliya, Malina, Lillian, Robert, and Juanita; mother, Lillian Bullock; brother John R. Bullock III, sons-in-law Russell and James; daughter-in-law Tori; grandchildren Ivy, Kaiyla, Little Robby, Jeremy Jr., Raquel, Rakaiya, Joy, and Trasonia; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends.

A viewing will be held Friday, April 14, 2017, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at A. L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia. A funeral will be held Saturday, April 15, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church Old Site, 801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Va., with viewing for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.