On Thursday, October 19, 2023, God in His infinite wisdom called home another one of his servants, Juanita Barnes Gay.  Juanita was born on September 12, 1959, to Mamie Saunders Barnes and the late Deacon Huddie Barnes in Sussex County, Virginia.  She attended Sussex County Public Schools and graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1977.  At the age of eight, Juanita gave her life to Christ and joined Easter Baptist Church serving briefly on the Usher Board.  Upon moving to Northern Virginia, she became affiliated with Little Union Baptist Church, Dale City, Virginia.  However, she never moved her membership and remained a member of Easter Baptist.

Juanita had several occupations, but her last position before retiring was as a teacher and cook at Acts Daycare in Woodbridge, Virginia. Juanita was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, older sister Patricia, older brother Atlas, her father Huddie Barnes, her father-in-law Robert Stith, and brother-in-law Carl Stith.

She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted husband of 38 years, Lorenzo Gay. Two sons, DeRell (Kenya) and Terrandy (Shanta) all of Woodbridge, Virginia.  One Stepson, Wendell Banks (Tammy) of Wakefield, Virginia, and a Stepdaughter Shadae Watkins of Maryland. Her mother, Deaconess Mamie Barnes of Waverly, Virginia, and mother-in-law Louise Stith of Wakefield, Virginia.  Two brothers, Dannie Barnes of Franklin, Virginia, and Charles Barnes of Waverly, Virginia.  Four sisters, JoAnn Mason (Rufus) of Bronx, New York, Catherine Vaughan (Marvin) of Petersburg, Virginia, Theresa Barnes of Petersburg, Virginia, and Letitia Foster (Adrian) of Surry, Virginia.  Four brothers-in-law, Wayne Gay, Marshall Stith, and Robert Stith all of Wakefield, Virginia, and Kevin Farlow of Philadelphia.  Seven sisters-in-law, Tracy Thomas of Richmond, Virginia, Tammy Worrell (Eddie) of North Carolina, Cheryl Turner (Frankie), and Felicia Stith both of Wakefield, Virginia.  Sharon Perry, Tara Turner, and Jametta Perry, all of Maryland.  Twelve grandchildren, Dalonta Gay, Tanea Gay, Tamia Gay, Kaniya Gay, De'Maree Gay, Amirah Gay, Tyren Gay, La'Najah Brown, Shamar Vinson, Monte' Parsley, India Bank and Maria Banks. Five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Public Viewing will be 10:00am - 5:00pm Friday,  October 27, 2023, at Peace Funeral Home, 237 Railroad Avenue Waverly, Virginia.

A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Easter Baptist Church 13454 Jerusalem Plank Road, Waverly, Virginia, Rev. Joseph Williams, Pastor and Eulogist.  Interment will follow at Easter Baptist Church Cemetery.