Juanita Louise Woody Gist, affectionately known as Nita, Skeeter, Pinky, Aunt Nee Nee, and Ma by family and friends was born to the late Howard J. Woody Sr. and Juanita M. Rogers Woody on August 31 1948 in Washington, D.C. She was the first of four children born to this union. Juanita received her formal education in the District of Columbia Public Schools and graduated from McKinley Technical High School in 1966. She further her education and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Virginia State University. Juanita was always devoted to her family and church. When her Mother passed in 1970, she assisted her Dad in raising her youngest sibling. Treva, and driving her younger brothers, Howard Jr. and George to different school and recreational activities. Juanita met Bobby S. Gist and later married him in April 1995. Until his passing in 2010, she was a devoted wife and lovingly became "Ma" to Tahmika and Tifphani Gist. She loved to care for her family and enjoyed spending time with her family in activities such as going to amusement parks, white water rafting, shopping, and bowling Juanita loved spending time with her grandchildren, Teghan and Jason Jr. Grandma J shared a special bond with Teghan and affectionately called her "Peppermint". By the age of 2. Teghan was putting together 25 piece puzzles because Grandma J would lay out on the floor with Peppermint to teach her how to sort the puzzles pieces and start with the corners. Those precious moments have now turned into precious memories. Juanita joined and was dedicated to Isle Of Patmos Baptist Church (IPBC), which her grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. George B. Rogers, pastored for 43 years. After college, Juanita began working at the Isle Of Patmos Day Care Center which later became the Christian Learning Center. Juanita was a dedicated employee, who helped cook meals drive the van and worked as an aide, a Kindergarden Teacher, and the Director for over 40 years before the center closed in 2015.Juanita loved teaching and was an amazing educator who trained generations of preschool children to IPBC Christian Learning Center because of their fond memories for Ms. Woody / Mrs. Gist loving passionate, reassure her students with her warm smile, didn't yell, and knew how to train and discipline without being mean. Juanita also loved to travel and sing. She attended many of the James Cleveland Choir workshops and the Thomas A. Dorsey conventions. She also traveled to PNBC Conventions to the Holy Land. Spain and many other places with Grandpa. Aunt Audrey Rodgers. Aunt Alpha Woody Taylor, and her sister, Treva. She was very active and faithful IPBC member for over 50 years. Juanita sang with the J.M. Woody Choral Ensemble (named after her mother Juanita M. Woody). the Mass Choir. The Alpha Choir, and every third Sunday at the Revelation of Christ Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Helping Hands Ministry. Missionary Ministry, and August Club and attended Sunday School. When Juanita was not traveling or singing, she worked puzzles ---placing one puzzle on top or another. She loved the jigsaw puzzle challenge--- the more pieces the better. She would spend hours doing word search and jigsaw puzzles as favorite pass time activities. Her new favorite pass time was using her cell phone to complete jigsaw puzzles and to play "Words with Friends." especially with her sister -in-law. Bev almost every night. Juanita had a quiet spirit just like her Dad and enjoyed serving others. Juanita rarely said "no" to anyone who needed a ride, a pound cake, or help in any way. Juanita was a devoted steward and was committed to Bible study. Noon day prayer, and every service that Isle of Patmos was involved in. Juanita was preceded by her mother, Juanita M. Woody, father, Howard Woody, Sr. husband, Bobby Gist, brother , Howard Woody Jr. and sister, Treva Woody. Juanita leaves to cherish her memory her brother, George Maurice (Cheryl) Woody, daughters, Tahmika (Jason) Aldricch. Tilphani (Daryl) Corley, sister-in-law. Beverly Burt, grandchildren, Teghan and Jason Jr. nieces Jenice (Michael) James, Ginnai, Caryn, and Leah Woody, great nephew and niece, Joshua and Cameron James, aunts Annie Woody Johnson, Eleanor Woody, Gladys Woody, uncles, Joe (Viola) Woody and Paul Woody, her other mother Carolyn Harris, god daughters, Janice Parks and Chole Nicholson, as well as a host of loving relatives and friends.