Juanita Erwin Fuller

Juanita Erwin Fuller, age 97, went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 27, 2025. She was born at home in Burkeville, TX on December 1, 1927 to Fay and Dewy Erwin. She was raised in Burkeville until the death of her father when their home was destroyed by fire. Her mother was left homeless with 5 fatherless children. Juanita was just 13 years old at the time. This caused her mental anguish which affected her, the rest of her life.

          Fay then moved them to Newton where they had extended family who took them in and helped them survive the tragedy. It was during that time that Juanita accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior which lead her to be baptized in Cow Creek.

   She enjoyed high school in Newton where she rode horses, played basketball, and was a cheerleader. She also met her high school sweetheart, Billy K Fuller, during those years. They rode horses to the town theater to see movies, and she loved for him to take out her dancing. They married after she graduated.  He sometimes bragged that he married the prettiest girl in Newton County. Most agreed she was a "head turner".

   Billy and she moved to Silsbee before their only child, Kristi Kay, was born in order to go into business with his father, Herman Fuller, to form what would become Fuller Oil Company. When their baby was 6 weeks old the small apartment they lived in caught on fire and for the second time Juanita lost everything. Thankfully, a barking dog woke Billy up and he picked his frozen in fear wife up, holding their baby and took them to safety.

   The oil distributorship prospered, and Juanita enjoyed her life in Silsbee becoming an active member of the Methodist Church. She also worked for him part time in the oil company office. However, after 10 years the marriage fell apart after Juanita had a nervous breakdown. She settled in Beaumont, but never found another "sweetheart", so remained single the rest of her days. She was a hard worker and served in several capacities including secretarial, nursing, beautician, Beaumont Police Department, and The American Red Cross. After retirement she did volunteer work at Baptist Hospital and Beaumont Police Department. She spent her last years in Silsbee Oaks Healthcare receiving excellent care there. Many, many, thanks to the staff at Silsbee Oaks. 

   The happiest part of her life was spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she adored. They put a sparkle in her eye like nothing else, other than the mention of Jesus! She never lost faith and enjoyed daily devotionals until her last breath. Her trials and tribulations are over now that Jesus rescued her. 

   She is survived by her daughter, Kristi Fuller Sellers; grandchildren Shannon and husband Gary Strahan, and William Tyson Sellers. Her beloved great grandchildren are Tyler Collins, Jacob and wife Courtney Collins, Chloe and her husband Trevor Simmons, Brady Collins, and Jake Strahan.

    She is preceded in death by her parents Fay and Dewy Erwin, her brothers D. B. and Kenneth Erwin, her sisters Ruby Miller, Geraldine and husband Roger Gallier, and son-in-law James "Budgie" Sellers.

Anyone wanting to remember Juanita with a memorial, she would like First Baptist Church (350 Hwy.96 S), Silsbee Methodist Church (670 N 5th Street), or Christian Care Center (P O Box 2050).

A graveside service will be 10:00 am Saturday October 04, 2025 at Woods Cemetery in Burkeville, Texas.