Juanita L. Dillard

Juanita L. Dillard

Saltillo- On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at NMMC Hospice, Juanita Dillard, faithful, loving wife and mother left this earth to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior. She was born in Arkansas on November 21, 1931, to Robert and Winnie Lanphere. She graduated from Saltillo High School and lived most of her life in the Springhill Community. She married Charles Dillard of Saltillo and they had 71 wonderful years together until his death in 2021. She worked and eventually retired from Vend Foods in Tupelo. Juanita was a faithful member of Beulah Primitive Baptist Church in Saltillo.

Together, she and Charles were avid baseball fans and enjoyed attending any sporting event, near or far, of their sons or grandchildren. They also enjoyed traveling with their siblings, Buddy and Jan Dillard, Lamar and Meredith Dillard and Prentice and Barbara Lanphere. She worked diligently in her yard, transforming it into her own relaxing oasis. She loved cooking for her church friends and family, and was famous for her caramel cakes, pies and homemade yeast rolls. She genuinely loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her joy for life was undeniable as she always saw the positive in every situation. She showed this by smiling and humming all throughout the day, and serving others constantly. Her love for her family and friends was immense and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her four sons, Steve Dillard (Mary Jane), Bobby Dillard (Neita), Fred Dillard, all of Saltillo and Nat Dillard (Diane) of Crestview, Florida; seven grandchildren, Jeff Dillard (Lisa), of Rockledge, Florida, Andy Dillard (Stacy) of Thaxton, Stacy Hood (Alan) of Golden, Tim Dillard (Erin), of Franklin, Tennessee, Mallory Emison (Scott) of Pontotoc, Brett Dillard of Farmington, Arkansas, Kelly Gardner (Drew) of Smithville; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and her four special sisters-in-law, Laurene Easterling, Barbara, Jan, and Meredith.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Robert Jr., Don, and Prentice.

Visitation will be 12 p.m. until service time Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Pegues, Saltillo.

Services honoring the life of Mrs. Juanita will be 2 p.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Saltillo Chapel of Pegues with her grandson Jeff Dillard and grandson-in-law Bro. Drew Gardner officiating. Burial will follow at Beulah Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Dillard, Andy Dillard, Tim Dillard, Brett Dillard, Gary McKissick, Johnny McKissick, Mike Dillard, Craig Lanphere, and Brian Lanphere.

Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Minor, Wayne Minor, Gerald Bishop, Danny Foster, Bud Crafton, and John Walden.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.