The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Juanita Gerane Thompson Smith passed away at home surrounded by family on November 23rd 2013.

Funeral services will be 1pm, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Barry Bradley of First Baptist Church in Orange. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. Serving as pallbearers will be her son and grandsons.

Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm, Tuesday at the funeral home.

She was born in Myrle Springs, Texas to Emma (Ewing) and Dave Clay Thompson on July 7, 1928. She was raised on the family farm in East Texas. She attended Wills Point High School and graduated as the Valedictorian of her Senior Class. Afterwards she moved with her family to Orange, Texas where she met and married her husband, Charles F. Smith.

Juanita and Charles had many adventures, friends and travels through the years. They were married for 65 years until his passing in February 2013. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (Granny). They were members of First Baptist Church where Juanita taught pre-school Sunday School for many years.

She will be remembered for her gracious character, devotion, style, and steadfast determination. Her "I'll make it, I have to" attitude guided her through many years of debilitating, chronic pain. She never gave up. Blessedly, in February 2012 the pain suddenly went away and she was able to live her remaining months and share her time with family without the severe pain.

She is preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, 1 brother and a half-sister, and her beloved husband Charles.

She is survived by daughter, Sandra Smith Frasier of Orange, Tx; son, Gary Smith (wife Peggy) of Orange, Texas; grandson, Chad Frasier (wife Amanda) of Highlands Ranch, CO; grandson, Corey Smith of Bridge City, Tx; and granddaughter, Kimberly Green (husband Terry) of Bridge City; great grandchildren: Ethan Frasier, Seth Frasier, Mason Smith, Finley Green and Kyler Green.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of River City Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for the services they provided.