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ZUNI – Her love language was sugar, for she spoke that to just about everyone she knew, as she delivered her desserts. And now, at age 94, Juanita Powell Alphin, will no longer walk out of her kitchen with a plate of fudge, drive to her neighbors with a wedge of warm apple cake or distribute individual bags of treats to the entire church choir following their Christmas performance. Mom, to her children, Memama to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away on June 7, 2024 in her beloved home on Sunset View Farm.

Born in Blackstone, Virginia, Juanita was the fourth of six children of Tom and Pearl Powell. While attending Windsor High School she met her husband, Robert “Bob” Alphin and they were married in 1954. Bob began farming and Nita began cooking. Ruffin, Rex and Trena were born in the three years that followed. At her passing Ruffin and wife, Dorothy Ballard; Rex and wife, Debra Hogge and Trena and husband, Steve Hill added 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren to their mother’s story of love and joy. In addition, her heart embraced Paul and Peaches Sopko, who lived with the family for four years. Nita is survived by her brother, Ernest Powell and wife, Theresa.

Nita’s passions, besides baking sweets, were instilling in her children a love of imagination, creativity, reading and humor. Simultaneously she imparted her strong disdain for being idle, bored, vain or shy. She was indeed all of the former and none of the latter. In short, she was quite a character!

The family will receive visitors at her home on Monday and Tuesday, June 17, 18, 2024. Following a private burial at Windsor Cemetery, a funeral service will be held at Westminster Church at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope for Suffolk, 3488 Godwin Boulevard, Suffolk, VA

Condolences can be made at www.parrfuneralhome.com