Juanita Wilkins Bellamy

Juanita Wilkins Bellamy, 67, loving wife of John C. Bellamy, Jr. of Arnoldsville, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Born on June 25, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Ferris Minish and Cecile Simmons Minish.

Known to everyone as Nita, she was a graduate of Madison County High School and served as an assistant to the Registrar at UGA for over thirty years. First married to Ronald Wilkins, she had two children Nicki and Chad, whom she adored. After her husband’s untimely death, Nita, with the support of family and friends, continued to raise and guide Nicki and Chad into adulthood and into the fine adults they are today.

Nita met John in early 2000. After a few months of dating and getting to know one another, they fell in love and were married in the presence of all five of their children. Their love has grown over the years as they traveled to beach locations in Georgia, Florida and Hawaii, decorated two beautiful homes, and enjoyed the birth of 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Nita was an accomplished cook and gardener. So much so that everyone she knew loved to come for one of her famous Sunday meals or receive a plant or flower she grew. Nita was a special, loving and caring person. Nita loved everybody and everybody loved Nita. Her favorite name, though, was Nana. She dearly loved her grandchildren Abby, Evans, and Emilee, and she loved John’s grandchildren as if they were her own.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, Ronald E. Wilkins; siblings, Lammie Minish, Jean Harris, Mary Chandler; step-daughter, Debbie Wilkins; niece and nephew, Chrissy & Ronald; brothers-in-law, Jimmy Stewart, Crawford Whitsel.

Survivors include her husband, John Bellamy; children, Nicki Wilkins Blackmon (Kevin), Chad Wilkins (Mandy); step-children, Doug Wilkins (Gretchen), Katherine Nunez, Julia Lee (Vince), Margaret Bellamy (Yamal); siblings, Susan Steed (Keith), Glenda Hogan (Dennis), Madge Stewart, Johnny Minish (Brenda), Nelda Whitsel; grandchildren, Abby Grace Turner, Evans Wilkins, Emilee Wilkins; step-grandchildren,  Kenny Lewis (Lawson), Trevor Dudley, Alexandra Dudley, Reese Sudbury; brother-in-law, Howard Harris; numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 4:00 pm in the chapel of Lord & Stephens, East, Athens, with Pastor Brett Mask officiating. Burial will follow the service at Winterville Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens is entrusted with arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.