Juanita Caskey

Juanita "Nita" Caskey was born December 5th, 1923, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Janie Lee Zakas and Victor Zakas. Her mother, Janie, was a native of Atlanta and her father, Victor, emigrated from Greece at the age of 14.
Juanita, along with her older brother Melvin, lived a fairly normal life as kids in the 1920's, until the Great Depression hit in 1929. It was a tough life to live at that time, but the toughness that Juanita encountered then became one of the characteristics that carried her through the rest of her life.
Juanita attended Russell High School in East Point, Georgia, which she graduated from in 1939. After high school she worked at the Arrow Shirt factory near her home. There she formed many friendships that she continued through the rest of her life.
In 1944, Juanita met a handsome young Army man, by the name of Albert Richard "Dick" Caskey. Dick was recovering from wounds suffered in WWII. On April 4th, 1945, they married and established their life together in Atlanta, Georgia.
On April 22nd, 1947, the family began to grow with the birth of their first child, Charles Melvin Caskey. Then, on August 2nd, 1949, they welcomed a daughter, Deborah Ann "Debbie" Caskey. And, then again 13 years later, on May 9th, 1962, another son, Richard Wayne "Rick" Caskey.
Juanita enjoyed life with her family and friends. She was a good wife and mother. Life was good, at that time, however on April 6th, 1968, after just 23 years of marriage, her husband passed away, leaving her alone with 2 children about to get married and a young son to raise. But, life for her and her children continued and she moved forward with determination.
During the following years Juanita enjoyed spending time with her family and the friends she made through the years. She enjoyed visiting her children's homes and raising her youngest. She enjoyed visiting friends and her weekly card games with friends. She remained a stay at home mother until her youngest son graduated high school and left for college. She then went to work at Bank of America, at the time known as C&S Bank.
After her youngest son, Rick, graduated college, moved to Texas and then got married, Juanita, along with her oldest son Charles, and her daughter-in-law, Cathy, made the decision to move into their home in Newnan, Georgia, where she enjoyed being with them and spending time with her grandson, Paul Caskey, watching him grow up. She lived there until Charles and Cathy decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona, in early 1999. Juanita decided to move with them.
Juanita decided to move to McKinney, Texas in 2001, to be near her son, Rick, daughter-in-law, Denise and her 4 grandkids, Ariel Caskey, Austin Caskey, Ashley Caskey and Caleb Caskey. She made new friends at her apartment building and at McKinney First Baptist Church. She enjoyed her weekly, Sunday visits to her son's house to visit and play with her grandkids. She enjoyed her game nights at her apartment building.
In October of 2011, Juanita moved into Rick's home in Plano, Texas, as she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She spent her remaining 3 years there where there were trials, there was pain, but there was also much joy. Through those remaining 3 years, Juanita demonstrated her toughness, strength and pleasant disposition that characterized her life. After a hard fought battle with Alzheimer's, Juanita passed away peacefully, on September 17th, 2014 at Rick's home where friends and family had surrounded her for the last 3 days.
The family would like to thank Partners Adult Day Care Center for their love and care for Juanita, and also Heritage Hospice for their care for Juanita and their assistance to our family.
Juanita is survived by her children Charles Caskey and his wife Cathy, Debbie Cates and Rick Caskey and his wife Denise, grandchildren Paul, Ariel, Austin, Ashley and Caleb Caskey. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Richard Caskey.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Allen Family Funeral Options Plano, Texas from 2:00-4:00 PM. A celebration of Juanita's life will be held on Monday, September 22, 2014 at Life Point Church, 4501 Hedgcoxe Road, Plano, Texas at 4:00 PM. There will also be a visitation on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home, East Point, Georgia from 6:00-8:00 PM. Juanita will be laid to rest next to her husband on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 2:00 PM at College Park Cemetery, 1462 E Virginia Ave., College Park, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to request that you make a donation to Heritage Hospice @ (877) 787-8232, or The Alzheimer's Association @ http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp