Ira Juanita Screws' Obituary
Juanita Screws (more commonly known as Mama, Aunt Nita, Juanita, Grandma, or Little Grandma), 100, of Riverview went home to be with the Lord on December 30th, 2024. Born in Bushnell, Fl. to Jesse and Lois Cox, she was the oldest of four children and the only girl. As a 17-year-old young lady, Juanita was a senior at Brandon High School and held a part-time job at Kronk’s restaurant where she met the love of her life, James Emmit Screws, and married him three weeks later. Shortly thereafter, they began their family and welcomed their first-born daughter Sarah into the world. Nine years later, she gave birth to her handsome son, James E. Screws Jr (Jimmy), with whom Juanita has now been reunited in heaven.
While traveling to many places with Emmit’s job throughout the years; Juanita also worked outside the home as a seamstress at Universal department store and later as a cafeteria worker at the local elementary school. After retirement, they embraced that love for travelling by touring the United States. One of Juanita’s other beloved hobbies and talents was cooking (and boy was she good at it!). And even more than the cooking, she loved being able to share those meals with everyone.
Juanita and Emmit were active members at both Oak Park Baptist Church and, later, First Baptist Church of Riverview where Juanita served faithfully with the younger children and on the church counting committee. Faith and family were very important to both of them and that was very apparent in the way they lead their lives and the examples that they set.
As life progressed, daughter Sarah married her husband Billy, and son Jimmy married his wife Mona, and 5 grandchildren were welcomed into the family. Juanita and Emmit were blessed with Tim, Todd, Amanda, Rachel, and Travis.
After 61 years of marriage, Emmit passed away in 2002, and Juanita found herself trying to navigate a new season of life. Two great grandchildren, Sierra and Jamesyn, had entered the picture by this time and she was beyond thrilled. Round two had begun! Keatyn, Landyn, Oliver and Dominic followed shortly thereafter. Her heart soared, and her face lit up at the sight of them or the mention of their names. Juanita loved spending time with her family and had an incredible ability to make anyone who entered her home feel loved and welcome. The love she gave and the memories we shared will be what we remember and hold dear when we think of her in the days ahead.
Services will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Riverview Florida. Visitation will begin at 10am with the service starting at 11. She will be laid to rest immediately after at Sunset Memory Gardens at 1pm.
Juanita has always had a heart for children, so we ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Project Focus Foundation. Focus is an actively growing program in Hillsborough County for individuals with disabilities which her great-granddaughter Landyn attends. You may donate online at https://projectfocusfoundation.org/donate.or send checks payable to “Project Focus’ and mailed to 304 Druid Hills Rd. Temple Terrace, FL 33617.
What’s your fondest memory of Ira?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ira?
Share a story where Ira's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ira you’ll never forget.
How did Ira make you smile?