In Memory Of
Frances Juanita Hannibal
1921
2021
Frances Juanita Hannibal
October 6, 1921 — January 30, 2021
Frances Juanita Hannibal of Topeka left this life on January 30, 2021, to spend eternity with her Savior, finally free from the burdens of a 99-year-old body and so many months of loneliness, having been denied by the pandemic what she very much cherished: the fellowship and touch of her remaining family and friends.
Juanita, who confused those who did not know her well by using her middle name all her life, was born in Lonoke, AR, October 6, 1921, the second of three sisters. She married Russell Gordon Hannibal on September 10, 1942, in Santa Barbara, CA, near where Russ was stationed early in WW2. Their daughter was born in October, 1943, shortly before Russ had to leave for combat training and eventual deployment to Europe.
After the war, they lived in Little Rock, AR, where their son was born in 1952. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1954 where they lived for ten years until they moved to Topeka in 1964.
Juanita was a founding member of Western Hills Baptist Church, a pianist, homemaker, 30-year cancer survivor and volunteer for many groups including the Topeka Rescue Mission, Keep America Beautiful, and Old Prairie Town. In her early 90s she was still visiting and entertaining (with her piano playing) the residents of several retirement homes. At age 98 she was still able to play the piano and attract an appreciative audience at her residence at McCrite Plaza.
Juanita was preceded in death by most of her closest family and friends, including her beloved husband Russ, her parents (Roy James High and Orrie Munnerlyn High), her sisters (Janice Ferguson of South Carolina and Jean Jabara of Oklahoma), and her daughter, Barbara Ann Raines of Oregon. She is survived by her son Robert Hannibal and his wife Saundra of Topeka, foster son Robert Courtney and his wife Carol, also of Topeka, and three more generations of descendents scattered around the country.
A public graveside service will be at 2:00pm, February 5, 2021 at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission or First Southern Baptist Church where she was a member for over 30 years.
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.
Juanita, who confused those who did not know her well by using her middle name all her life, was born in Lonoke, AR, October 6, 1921, the second of three sisters. She married Russell Gordon Hannibal on September 10, 1942, in Santa Barbara, CA, near where Russ was stationed early in WW2. Their daughter was born in October, 1943, shortly before Russ had to leave for combat training and eventual deployment to Europe.
After the war, they lived in Little Rock, AR, where their son was born in 1952. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1954 where they lived for ten years until they moved to Topeka in 1964.
Juanita was a founding member of Western Hills Baptist Church, a pianist, homemaker, 30-year cancer survivor and volunteer for many groups including the Topeka Rescue Mission, Keep America Beautiful, and Old Prairie Town. In her early 90s she was still visiting and entertaining (with her piano playing) the residents of several retirement homes. At age 98 she was still able to play the piano and attract an appreciative audience at her residence at McCrite Plaza.
Juanita was preceded in death by most of her closest family and friends, including her beloved husband Russ, her parents (Roy James High and Orrie Munnerlyn High), her sisters (Janice Ferguson of South Carolina and Jean Jabara of Oklahoma), and her daughter, Barbara Ann Raines of Oregon. She is survived by her son Robert Hannibal and his wife Saundra of Topeka, foster son Robert Courtney and his wife Carol, also of Topeka, and three more generations of descendents scattered around the country.
A public graveside service will be at 2:00pm, February 5, 2021 at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission or First Southern Baptist Church where she was a member for over 30 years.
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Juanita Hannibal, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Graveside Service
Friday, February 5, 2021
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Mount Hope
Guestbook
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