Meet an Inspiring Neighbor Who Has Served the 12South Community for Over 45 Years
Juanita A. Rucks is a fountain of optimism and wonderful 12South stories. She and her family moved to South Douglas in the spring of 1963. She has reared three successful children and one amazing nephew here. Married to her long time sweetheart, Charles, since 1948, you can feel the warmth and love in their charming 1920’s home.
“My house was (and is) the gathering place for kids in the afternoons. You could play board games of Scrabble, Keeno, Pictionary, Monopoly and, also, a good game of basketball, “ explains Juanita. “I have seen the neighborhood go through several transitions. When we first moved in years ago, we helped with the needs of an elderly couple who lived next door. When they passed on, I was the one knocking on the door when a few young kids were up to no good and called them down on their activities. They didn’t want to mess with Mrs. Rucks.”
“I love this area and take pride in the homes and people here.” Juanita and Charles now have three houses on South Douglas and want to keep them in the family by passing them on to their children.
After her babies were born, Juanita went back to school and studied for a teaching degree. She taught 7th and 8th grade in metro schools for thirty years. She retired in 1992. Her wonderful teaching influence still abounds in the area. (District 17 Council Woman Sandra Moore prides Juanita as being one of her favorite, inspirational teachers.)
Juanita may have retired from teaching with metro, but she could not contain her teaching spirit and nurturing nature. She now works with the sheriff’s department and its GED program. She still works on changing people’s lives! She teaches basic math skills and works with others in the department to help 8 to 10 people graduate every 8 to 10 weeks. She has now seen some of these students go on to graduate from college. She said it is such a rewarding experience to see people who have made some bad choices turn their lives around with a
little help and encouragement.
A smart, spirited and giving woman, Juanita is truly a neighborhood hero. She says her momma always told her, “If you make your bed hard, you have to lie in it.” She works effortlessly to help others have “a little softer bed” every day.
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