Phillis Onedia Juniel

Phillis Onedia Craig Juniel was born in Sparkman, Arkansas on September 28, 1958. She was the second daughter among the five children born to Arch and Eva Taylor Craig. By every account, Phillis was an intelligent, joyful and obedient child, gifted with a gentle nature that would serve her all her life. As a young girl she found Christ and united with the Macedonia Baptist Church family. She was a 1976 graduate of Sparkman High School. Phillis grew up to be a beautiful and charming young lady. Full of life and wit she met the love of her life W. C. Juniel. Their courtship led to a loving, happy and enduring marriage that began on September 13, 1976. To this union three children were born, Tyron, Donnie, and Genista. She loved her husband passionately and was a devoted mother. Her children were such an important part of her life and they brought her so much joy. She played an important part in their success; helping them in reaching their goals and objectives. Her son Donnie Juniel passed on August 28, 2000. Though heartbroken, she relied on her faith in God to sustain her as she committed to never forget his memory. She worked as a Para-professional for several years in the Bearden Public Schools; her former students and friends remember her as invariably cheerful, patient and kind. She committed fourteen years to Wal-Mart in Camden and worked as a Department Manager. She united with the Victory Church in Camden and always looked forward to worship services. Through the success of her life and career, she maintained close ties to her family and loved ones. However, her zest for life and adventure led her to enthusiastically enjoy traveling, dancing and all genres of music. Her favorite saying was “Stay in your own lane” and when she spoke those words everyone knew what time it was. Her energetic personality, her giving nature and her pursuit for the next best thing was a magnet for those who wanted her energy to rub off on them. She enjoyed dressing up for glamorous events just as much as she enjoyed dressing up every day. Phillis was a woman of great beauty, poise, elegance and grace. She was always fashionably dressed from head to-toe, her hair was laid, and nails freshly manicured. “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These people have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” On Monday, May 23, 2016 she quietly slept into the Lord's embrace with her family by her side. She was preceded in her passing by her father, Arch Craig who made his transition on February 22, 2010 and her son, Donnie Her radiant smile shined like a beacon of light in darkness and she brought joy into the lives of all she touched. Though she is no longer with us in body and her irreplaceable presence will be deeply missed. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who were impacted by the beautiful life she lived. Phillis leaves her husband, W. C. Juniel; her children, Tyron (Deundra) Juniel of Bearden, AR, Genista Juniel and her fiancé, David Hall of El Dorado, AR; Carla Byers and children of Chicago Ridge, IL whom she cherished as a daughter; three grandchildren, Dequntez Juniel, Ty’yon Juniel and Chassidy Juniel, all of Bearden; her mother, Eva Craig of Little Rock; mother-in-law, Rebecca Miller of Omaha, NE; her god sons, Antonio Baca of Fordyce and Avion Scott of Sparkman; her siblings, Willie Craig of Arkadelphia, Eva Burks and Archie Craig, both of Little Rock and Morrice (Gregory) McKenzie of Sherwood; her brothers and sisters-in-law Marilyn (Benjamin) Milton of Bearden, AR, Tisha Ross of Omaha, NE, Karen (Rev. Andrew) Davis of Mansfield, TX, Beverly (Nelvin) McClain of Ft. Worth, TX, Jeffery Juniel, Timothy Juniel and Derrick Juniel all of Arlington, TX, Barry Juniel of Memphis, TN and Orlandos (Velma) Juniel of Sparkman. She also leaves a legion of nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends.