Juanita Irene Albertson

September 26, 1948 – January 25, 2019

Memorial Service
Saturday, February 16, 2019
1:00 P.M.

Nelson & Sons Chapel Murfreesboro
448 East Burton Street
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

When you wanted good Southern food, the entire family agreed- look no further than Nita. Chicken and dumplings, collard greens, black eyed peas, mashed tators, mac n cheese, fried chicken, tacos, and chocolate chip pancakes! She made them all with love and never needed a recipe!

Juanita Irene (Tyre) Albertson, “Nita” celebrated her last sunset on Friday January 25th. She was born in Alma, Georgia in 1948, the daughter of a housewife and a carpenter. “Nita” was preceded in death by her parents Mack and Linnie, brothers, Bobby, Eddie, Lamar, Roger, Roy, her sister Laverne, and her daughter Tammy.

Juanita is survived by her sons, Stacy, Jason, and Mack, and her daughter (in-law) Rachel, grandchildren DC, Heather, Kyle Ann, Jeffrey, Jesse, Josh, Cody, Marissa, Katrina, and Garrett, great grandchildren Kailey, Emma, Angel, Isabella, Braxton, Joseph, Laken, Aliyah, Brinlee, Hunter, and Faith, and sisters Jo Ann, Louise, and Margie. Plus, her grand dog Madi, whom was snuck into several rehab and nursing home facilities. Additionally, there are many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family that she loved dearly. She was a true and loyal friend to all who were blessed enough to be welcomed into her inner circle.

Her early years were spent living in Jacksonville, Florida. As a newly married wife, she moved with her husband and children to San Diego, California. Years later, after the birth of her son Mack she returned to Jacksonville, Florida. In 2009, Nita moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to be with her sons, daughter-in-law, and grandkids.

She married young and absolutely loved her career as a housewife to Terry Albertson (former spouse), stay-at-home mom, room mom, baseball mom, and you can imagine the rest of the “mom” volunteer positions she held. There wasn’t a kid in the neighborhood that hadn’t had a glass of her kool-aid or been babysat by her. All of the kids loved riding around in her van, except Jason who got carsick.

If you ever spent more than a minute talking with her, she would brag on all of her family. Nothing was more important to her than being with us. Nita enjoyed years of band concerts, plays, musicals, and grandparent lunches at the schools. If you visited her at her home, in full Southern grace, she would ask if you wanted a drink or something to eat. After you answered, it was time to hush because the game show network or her soaps were on. Some of us never even knew Steve Harvey until we got to know him on her TV.

Juanita believed in giving to others, almost to a fault or an overdraft notice from her bank. If she had $5, she would spend it all to help someone else in need.

Common “Nita-isms”:

“Don’t worry. It’s all gonna work out the way it supposed to, I reckon.” Anytime someone was sad or disappointed

“Dang it, where are all my dirty cards.” Playing Cards Against Humanity

“Did you take my 4?” and “I’m not really Sorry” To any of us while playing Sorry

“Look Sister Sue….” You never what would come next

You could never doubt her inner strength, when she said she was gonna “sweep the foot”, someone was going down!

She treasured Sunday’s. Once Nita moved to Tennessee, Sunday became our family night with dinner and games. There was nothing like an RB with mayo and tomato, fries, and frozen root beer. Sorry was her board game of choice. It seemed that no matter how the cards went, we always ended up needing the same card to win. Her fun-loving self won at dice, card games, board games, and computer slots. For her, it was about the fun of playing, not about winning the game. Unlike the rest of the family, who drove her nuts with their competitive spirit and game time shouting. In the warmer months, nothing made her happier than zipping the golf cart around the neighborhood, cranking tunes, and waving to all she passed.

Juanita had a unique awareness about the importance of a life lived with the ones you love over any material possessions.  This is the best gift she ever gave us.

When she moved into the senior apartments several years ago, Nita quickly made friends. They went with each other to doctor’s appointments, checked on each other every day, lunched together, and played card games downstairs. At her recent 70^th birthday party, they all gathered to sing Happy Birthday *Ding* and wish her joy.

Although the last six months of her life were spent mostly in a nursing home or at the hospital, she still shared plenty of quality time with us. It was a reflective time for our feelings and how important family is. Nita had such a sassy spirit, all the nurses and techs loved her. When she switched rooms, they would come and visit even though that room wasn’t on their rounds (shhh, don’t tell). She battled hard until the end. In fact, the weeks before her death, she was pumping iron and building her strength, in anticipation of returning to her apartment.

Our beloved matriarch is now peeling potatoes with the ‘special’ paring knife up in heaven with her sister Vernie, her daughter Tammy, mother Linnie, and all who went before her.

“Please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here.”