Juanita Smith

Age 76, Our beloved Juanita Smith entered eternal rest on her born day of June 8th , in 2014. Juanita was born at home in Grace, Mississippi on June 8th, 1938 where her Parents the Late Alma and Richard Jackson Sr. welcomed her along with siblings Mildred and Richard. When her parents migrated to New York to set up a new life for the family,. Juanita and her siblings stayed with their Great Aunt Sue (Suzanne ) and Uncle Henry.(affectionally called Mr. Henry by Juanita) Juanita loved being on the farm helping Uncle Henry to feed all the animals, but when she became of school age she left Mississippi to live with the rest of her family in New York on 98th Street in Manhattan, New York. She was educated in the Public School System, .Her Alma Mater was Washington Irving High School of Washington Heights area in Manhattan, N.Y. Juanita could be stubborn at times like the time when her older sister advised her that Moses was the one that would make her sister a very good husband, Juanita's reply to her sister you can't tell me who to marry. Juanita did prove that her sister was correct and married the love her of life, Moses K Smith. Their union was blessed with two daughters Gail Yvonne and the Late Robin Suzanne. They eventually settled into the East Bronx close to her family. She settled in as a housewife raising her 2 daughters only working sporadically to earn extra money for Christmas gifts and savings for a down payment on a house. Even though Juanita was no longer living on 98th Street she still stayed in contact with her friends and classmates of old 98th Street neighborhood through the club that was formed. That club would sponsor the "98th Street Reunion Dance" each year and to this day they still sponsor different functions like BBQ's for the old friends to get together etc. Despite Juanita's memory impairment that developed after her daughter told her she had breast cancer, Juanita never forgot about 98th Street memories and always called that "Home" . After several years of apartment living in the Bronx (East 164th street) all their combined savings and hard work made their dreams come true. They became owners of a single family home in 1968. They purchased a home in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. WithIn few months of working to make the family room the way she envisioned with curtains and slipcovers she even upholstered the bar that Moses built The first gathering they had at the new home was their house warming party and since Juanita and Moses were married on the 27th day of November she would host an Anniversary and Thanksgiving dinner over the years that included both sides of the family, because having this new home gave more space for all the growing families to spread out more and enjoy each other company. Juanita returned to the he workforce full time, once her older daughter Gail began attending Bayside High School. She worked in the graphic arts field for (Local Union 119B-43B) over 25 years. She retired as a bookbinder when L & M Bindery in Lower Manhattan closed their doors in 1988. Juanita enjoyed traveling whenever it was her vacation time so with retirement that just meant she had more time to travel to places like Spain , Bermuda and taking Cruises. Juanita and Moses travelled a lot to Florida too. They would visit with her cousins that she had grew up with (Laura and Phyllis) and her husband's retired co-workers. They too dreamed of one day relocating to Florida but they knew they would miss seeing their grandchildren and family. Juanita loved being with her grand's so much that every summer she would keep them for six weeks and then take her vacation. Juanita and Moses did a lot of things together like joining the Merrick Marsden Block Association She helped wherever needed to get the job done, She helped and coordinated with the fund-raiser's like flea markets, bus rides, raffles and dances. When they had bake sales people were always looking for her speciality cake. They did not want just a slice they wanted to purchase the entire cake ! Juanita loved being a host she would have bus rides just to have family/people come together just to have a great time. Through another group called the Brooklyn Land and Trust a community garden was created where the members of Merrick Marsden could grow fruit and vegatables. Juanita loved working in the garden and seeing the fruits of her labor. As an active member of Bethany Baptist Church she was part of the Soup Kitchen Ministry and a Member of the South Carolina club since her husband was from South Carolina. Juanita loved to read, Knit, play Bingo and Pokeno but her favorite past time was Fishing. She loved fishing so much if she couldn't go fishing she would watch it on T.V. Juanita's kidneys may have failed her but her family's love never will. Juanita, was preceded in death by her husband Moses(7.31.12) and daughter Robin (8.4.08), Her Mother Alma, Father Richard, Brothers Richard and Christopher, Sister Marvalene, Special Cousin Lewis, Mother in law Viola, Brother-in-law William, Sisters-in-law Annette and Lillie. We will cherish her memories, Daughter Gail Yvonne Fulton (Orlando), 6 grandchildren Orlando II(Ann Marie) Terence, LaVonna, Robert, Marcus Sr. and Danai. 9 great grand's, Jaiden, Marcus Jr. Keyvon, Raegan, Maleah, Sariyah, Madison, Orlando III, and Maya; Sisters Mildred and Alma , Brother Russell, Two special cousins who were raised as sisters Laura and Phylliss. Sisters-in-law Shirley, Lorraine(Joe). Beatrice, Jackie and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. . Read Juanita Smith's Obituary and Guestbook on houseofwrightmortuary.com.