It is with deep sadness and love that we announce the passing of Juanita Benson Hinton, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, at the age of 93.
Juanita leaves behind a beautiful family to cherish her: daughter Diana B. Hudnall of Shreveport, LA; son Mike Brown (Kay) of Bernice, LA; grandchildren Jason Brown (Julie), Jeff Brown, and Robert “Matt” Hudnall (Ellie); great grandchildren Luke Brown, Kaylee Brown, Stella “Rae” Hudnall, and William “Rhett” Hudnall; three great-great grandchildren; and her sister Clarine Woodard, who will miss her fiercely.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Patrick R. Hinton; her grandparents who raised her—Martha and Que Benson of Sarepta, LA; her mother, Florence Benson Smith; her sister, Billie Jo Lopez; and cherished grandson, William “Billy” Hudnall. We take comfort in knowing she has been reunited with them in Heaven.
Juanita poured her heart into her work as the Environmental Services Director at Springhill General Hospital, Live Oak Nursing Home in Shreveport, LA, and The Baptist Retirement Home in Arcadia, LA, where she eventually retired. She was renowned for her delicious homemade meals, especially her banana pudding, tea cakes, pies, cakes, and her legendary chicken and dressing. Rarely did she follow a recipe—her meals were always made with love and often from scratch.
Her last chapter at Alpine Rehabilitation Center was pure Juanita—as the reigning Mardi Gras queen and bingo champion, she welcomed new families with open arms, still playing caregiver and cheerfully nudging the staff to fix things, thanks to her years of working in hospitals and nursing homes. Juanita would often laugh and say, “They are so good to me!” Watching birds and hummingbirds from her window brought her joy, and she beamed with gratitude when the staff kept her feeders full. That was Juanita—A spitfire with her quick wit and loving nature.
While we will deeply miss her, we know her laughter, love, wisdom, and fiery spirit will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing her. There will be a private graveside and interment to celebrate her life at Wesley Chapel Cemetery on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Methodist Children’s Home of Ruston, LA, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital honoring Juanita’s loving spirit.
Juanita has gone to her eternal rest, but her unapologetic nature, laughter, love, and cherished recipes will live on in our hearts.
