Ms. Juanita West

Obituary Celebration of Life for Juanita West, the Jolly Senior Citizen Diva Juanita West, 90, a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on April 1, 2023. She was born on May 16, 1932, to William Henry and Mamie West, the 11th of 14 children. Preceding her in death were her parents, nine brothers, William Henry II, Herbert, Clarence, Wilbert, Elbert, Elmer, Donald, James, and Clyde West, three sisters, Ermalene and Geraldine West, and Ernestine Boyd, four nephews, Ronald Boyd, Brian and Marc Chamberlain, and Harold West, two great nephews, LaDon Boyd and Ryan Presswood, one great great nephew Maurice West, and two nieces, Deborah Boyd and Shirley Hammond. Educated in the Kansas City, Missouri, school system, Sister West attended W.W. Yates and Attucks elementary schools, R.T. Coles Vocational Junior High, and Lincoln High School. She was a longtime member of the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, now known as Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorates of Rev. C.S. Stamps, Rev. E.H. Branch, Rev. Oscar Lacefield Jr., Rev. Wallace S. Hartsfield, pastor emeritus, and Pastor Wallace S. Hartsfield II. Sister West began singing and doing Christian work at a young age. As a child she sang in the Junior Christian Singers choir under the direction of V.L. Dickson. She also served on the Usher Board, and was a part of First Aid, and the Junior Mission Circles under Sister Ethel K. Thomas. As an adult, Sister West was one of the lead singers in the Metropolitan Sanctuary Choir. In addition, she and her son James “Fuzzy” West were the mother and son duo of Metropolitan for many years. She started James singing with her when he was 12 years old. She was a hard worker and very dependable. Sister West was an elevator operator for Hotel Phillips, Shankman Post Office Professional Building, and the Bryant Building. She was employed at Richard Gebaur Air Force Base in the Commissary, and for many years, she was a food checker for the Milgram Food Stores. Upon retiring from Milgrams, Sister West started a Christian Day Care, which she ran in her home for 25 years, and she was also a foster parent. Her babies loved her for the kindness and love she showed them. They called her Grandma-Mama, Auntie Nee Nee, and Gramma West. They also loved her for the delicious soul food she cooked for them. From 1969 to 1984, Sister West and James gave recitals at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. On September 7, 2014, at age 82, she was presented at Metropolitan in her 16th and final recital The Blast from the Past. Sister West was a spirit-filled, highly anointed singer who touched many hearts over the years. She was one of God’s chosen vessels. She had many out-of-town engagements throughout the years, including in California, New York, Nebraska, Texas, and North Carolina. It was in Charlotte, North Carolina, that she sang on program for the Jim and Tammie Bakker PTL Ministry. She also was on program with James Cleveland in Atlanta, Georgia, and there were many other engagements. She was a lead singer in National Baptist Conventions. In Kansas City she sang with the Leviticus Singers directed by Simon Payne and the McClellan Akers Singers directed by Sister Wilma McClellan. On June 8, 2012, she sang during the morning and evening services at the Benny Hinn Crusade in Kansas City. In 1979 Sister West founded the West-Miller Family Reunion in Kansas City and was its head coordinator until 2008 when she stepped down at age 76. She was a member of the Silver Sneakers at Cleaver’s Family YMCA. A people person, she always carried a beautiful smile. That’s why she was known as the Jolly Senior Citizen Diva. She will be sadly missed by all. She leaves to mourn and cherish her loving memory son James “Fuzzy” West, sister Marilyn Chamberlain, sister-in-law Louella West, 24 nieces and nephews, 45 great nieces and nephews, over 160 great great nieces and nephews, 13 known great, great, great nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends. Funeral services Saturday, April 15, at 12:00pm at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00am-12:00pm at the church. Services entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Juanita West, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Juanita West

May 16, 1932 - April 1, 2023