Juanita Ballew Hardigree passed away on January 7, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was the first born child to Reid and Etta Ballew. She was born in Fannin County, Georgia where she attended school and often helped care for her five siblings.After graduation she went to Atlanta where she found a job and soon would meet her husband, Hoyt C. Hardigree. After two of their sons were born they moved to California for a time. Hoyt began losing his sight so they returned to Georgia where Juanita took a job at one of Atlanta's most prestigious stores in cosmetics. Having been born a gifted artist, helped her to have great empathy and technical skills as a highly favored Cosmetician for more than 40 years. Juanita's passion was flowers, wherever she lived there would be flowers. Many potted plants and a yard filled with every bush and flower imaginable. Once when her many large azalea bushes were in full bloom, she went to a thrift store and bought an armful of colorful formal dresses and invited her aunts, sisters and cousins for a photo shoot in her beautiful southern garden. Juanita was a Baptist by Faith, having given her heart to Jesus when she was 15 years old. Juanita loved to travel and was privileged to see most of the states including Alaska. One of the greatest highlights of the year was the annual reunion of the class of 1955. Juanita always looked forward to seeing her classmates.She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Hoyt C. Hardigree; her son, Dennis Keith Hardigree; her daughter, Tammy Lynn Hardigree; her sister, Evelyn Gibbs; her brother, Danny Ballew; and sister-in-law, Linda Ballew.

She is survived by her son, Jeffery Stephen Hardigree; her sisters, Patricia Brown and Carol Seymour; brother, RJ Ballew; daughter- in -law, Satako Hardigree Harris; grandchildren, Leah Wu, Tristen Stepp, and Jennifer Mallette; and great grandchildren, Aria Harrison, Audrina Bell, Canon Mallette, Aiden Mallette, and Liam Mallette. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. from the Salem #2 Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Brett Curtis officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA was in charge of these arrangements.