Juana S. Atchison

Juana Sylvia Snelling, was born April 9th, 1925, in Washington, DC. Her mother, Estel Snelling, was a school teacher from Indiana; her father, Sylvan Snelling, was a book binder for the Library of Congress. Juana was named after her mother's favorite student. She was the middle child – with an older sister (Jeanette) and younger brother (Van). She grew up in a house her dad built on Chain Bridge Road in McLean. After graduating from Western High School, she worked at the US Treasury during the war. It was around this time that she met a young Army mapmaker, Joseph Atchison, at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Shortly after their wedding, in 1945, Joe was accepted into George Washington Medical School. When he was sent to Atlantic City to care for returning injured soldiers, Juana attended Wagner College to study for a Nursing degree. After a brief period, she had to discontinue her studies to help support her husband. Once the war was over, she helped Joe open his medical practice in Springfield, VA. He was the first full time doctor in Springfield. She ran his front office for several years, until a 1957 auto accident. A drunk driver ran them off the road in Louisiana on the way back from her sister's wedding. She was left with extensive injuries, and showed great determination to recover. In 1959 and 64, they welcomed their children (Gail and John), and she became a wonderful stay at home mom. She was a devoted "Grandma Juana" to Brad and Katie, and spent countless hours baking cookies, reading books, and playing the piano with them. She and Joe greatly enjoyed retirement; and traveled the world, photographing everywhere. She was very active in camera club, and was an award winning photographer in her own right. She lost her beloved husband in 1996, and independently lived in their house another 15 years. She loved to garden, and enjoyed much time sitting outside on her deck – enjoying her quiet back yard. Beloved wife of the late Joseph L. Atchison, mother of Gail (David) Schoolfield and John (Louisa) Atchison; and grandmother of Bradley Schoolfield and Katelyn (JonAlan) Kent. Relatives and friends may call at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA on Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 2pm-5pm. Interment Quantico National Cemetery on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.

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Juana S. Atchison

April 9, 1925 - November 17, 2015