Juanita McFarland

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that hope in Jehovah.--Psalms 31:24

Juanita Burton was born in Louisiana to Percy and Lottie Mae Burton on August 16, 1934. She

was the third of 4 children.

As a young girl, she traveled on the Greyhound bus to San Francisco to stay with her father and

stepmother. Years later, she would make that trip again, this time with her younger brother and

three nephews. Juanita eventually graduated from Galileo High School in San Francisco.

In the early 1950s, Juanita began working in retail, where she met Lou Johnson. They were

married August 15, 1956 and had two sons, Byron and Keith Johnson.

During the 1960s, Juanita and Lou worked together at Preslers Clothing Store, and later, went

on to own their own store, Bradford’s in the Fillmore District. Juanita was no stranger to hard

work. Her work ethic started as a young child having to miss school to help her mother clean

houses. Her mother taught her you do what is necessary to make ends meet. Juanita also was

the accountant for her clothing store as well as her brother’s furniture store all while raising two

young children. As time went on, Lou and Juanita divorced.

In 1971, Juanita remarried to Frank McFarland Jr where they lived in South San Francisco with

Byron and Keith. Juanita then worked for Arco Gas for 30 years before retiring. Overtime,

Juanita and Frank’s hard work granted them a summer home in Clear Lake and later, a home in

Las Vegas after relocating from S. San Francisco. Sadly, Frank passed away after 34 years of

marriage. In November 2008, Juanita would suffer another tragic loss when her oldest son

Byron passed away.

Juanita has always been family focused. She was a no nonsense type of mother to children.

She carried on the beliefs of hard work, strength, perseverance, and love that was instilled in

her. Juanita very much loved to entertain and host her family and friends. The holidays were

always filled with the smells of her amazing cooking, laughter, and joy. Even though Juanita was

petite in stature, you always knew she was in the room. She made sure of it.

Juanita McFarland’s heartbreaking passing on January 3, 2024 leaves behind her son, Keith,

grandchildren Frank, Analyse, Reginald, Kortney, Brandon, and Brittnie, as well as 15

great-grandchildren.

Her memory will always live on in her family.