Juanita P. Carlisle

            Mrs. Juanita Perry Carlisle, 98, of Youngstown, passed away peacefully during the early hours of Sunday morning, July 8, 2018 at the Valley Care Northside Medical Center.

            Born in Marion, Alabama on July 13, 1919, Juanita was the last survivor of seventeen children born to John and Luvenia Oliver Perry.  Juanita confessed Christ early and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Marion, where she became acquainted with Coretta Scott King, who was often hired as a young lady to play piano for neighboring churches in the Marion area.

            Mrs. Carlisle came to Youngstown in 1948 to be with her husband, James, who along with several brothers migrated from the South to avail themselves of job opportunities in the Youngstown steel mills following the war.

            Juanita was a longtime member of Tabernacle Baptist Church on the former Arlington Avenue (now known as Tabernacle Blvd.) where she was a member of the choir.  Mrs. Carlisle loved flowers, and she performed the duties of decorating them in her front yard and on her porch.  Being open-hearted and receptive to neighbors, to visitors, and to young people, she endeared the term of “Momma Carlisle”.  For inspiration as a hard worker and community supporter, she was honored at her 80th birthday celebration with a “Key to the City”.

            Left to cherish her memory are her sons, James E. (Deborah) Carlisle, Jr. of Toledo, Preston L. Carlisle with whom she resided and Clarence Carlisle both of Youngstown; daughters, Ernestine Townsend and Alice M. Carlisle both of Youngstown, and Rosie Lee Carlisle of Cortland; her seven grandchildren, Chelece Williams, Kenneth Levels, Brian Levels, Terry Levels, Constance Carlisle, Phillip Carlisle, and Clarence Fortune; six great grandchildren; Ernest Brown and Alemu M’Boya, both who were like sons to her; and  a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

            She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James (1988); three children, daughter, Geverna Barone, and sons, Ellis R. Carlisle and William S. Carlisle.

            The Memorial services for Juanita Carlisle will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home, 1951 McGuffey Road, preceded by visitation for the public from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Tod Homestead Cemetery.

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