Juanita Kilpatrick

Juanita Cordozier Kilpatrick, 83, went to be with her Heavenly Father on July 15, 2011. She was born April 21, 1928 in Montgomery, Louisiana. The family will receive friends at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home on Sunday, July 17 from 5:00- 7:00p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Natchitoches First United Methodist Church Monday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. Leading the Celebration of Life will be Rev. Doug DeGraffenreid and Rev. Linda Clark. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. Juanita was reared in Montgomery, Louisiana and graduated from Northwestern State College in1949 with a degree in Music Education. She later received her M.A. in music from there also. She taught music at Fairpark High School and West Monroe High School. In 1966 Juanita moved to Natchitoches with her husband, Arnold, who had been appointed President of Northwestern State University. Her career then turned from music teacher to “First Lady” of NSU. She very faithfully supported her husband and also actively and graciously entertained at the President’s home. She spent time and energy with students, often serving breakfast for the Student Government Board. The present President’s Home was designed and built during their time at NSU. She had considerable input into its design. Juanita served faithfully in her church and community. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and a member of the United Methodist Women for which she served as President. She was on the board of the Association for the Preservation of Historical Natchitoches for 12 years, was a member of the 17th Century Colonial Dames, and served on the Executive Board of Spring Court since 1970. Her membership in Eastern Star was for 63 years. She served as Grand Organist and Worthy Matron. Juanita was a faithful member of PEO. She served locally as President, served on the State Executive Board for 7 years and was the Louisiana State PEO president in 1979. Chapter AU, as well as other local chapters, looked to her as a mentor and example of true sisterhood. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lelia Cardozier of Montgomery, Louisiana, her brother, Ogleton Cardozier, and her husband, Arnold Kilpatrick. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lael Kilpatrick and her daughter Ashley Schult, Young Kilpatrick and his wife, Jeri, and their children, Ryan Kilpatrick, Jared Kilpatrick(Kemper) , Tarah Babers and Ethan Parker. She is also survived by her brother, Dr.V. Ray Cardozier and his wife, Nancy of Austin, Texas. The family appreciates those serving as pallbearers: Dr. Randall Webb, Dr. Robert Alost, Jimmy Long, Dr. Randy Keator, Ricky Williams, and Jack McCain,Jr. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Arnold Kilpatrick Scholarship at NSU.