Juanita Carolyn Hail-Rivas

Shawnee, OK resident Juanita Carolyn Hail-Rivas passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026 in Shawnee, OK at the age of 79. Juanita was born on March 16, 1947 in Wewoka, OK to Leslie William Zellers and Essie Juanita (Azlin) Dees. She lived in Wewoka for five years and then several other places until 1972 when she moved to Shawnee, OK. Juanita married Franklen E. Rivas on August 5, 2005 in Shawnee, OK. Franklen passed away on October 5, 2020.

Juanita worked at Central Plastics as a receiving clerk for 31 years until she retired in 2012. She was a devoted member of Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church in Bethel, OK. She was also a lifelong member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary Post 1317 in Shawnee, OK. In her younger years Juanita loved to dance and played basketball when she was in school.

Juanita is survived by her son, Kris Hail of Tecumseh, OK; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Rani Rivas of Wichita, KS, Agnes Zellers of Checotah, OK and Loretta Keys of Shawnee, OK; one sister of Shawnee, OK; two grandchildren, Dustin G. Hail and Kristie and husband Drake Knight; three great grandchildren, Ryan Hail, Tayen Hail and Amana Hail; a host of cousins and many other family and friends.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Franklen E. Rivas; mother, Juanita (Azlin) Dees; father, Leslie Zellers; brothers, William, Jimmie and Rickey; two sisters, Charlene (Judy) and Donnita.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, OK. Pastor Larry Sparks will be officiating.