Juanita Garris Smyre

Born June 2, 1934 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late William Marion Garris and Alex Lillian Oates Garris. Juanita was a retired teacher’s assistant at Thornton Elementary School in Newton. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Newton where she was active in the scouting program and taught Sunday School.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Glenn Earl Smyre; brother, William Edward Garris; half-brothers, Gordon Lee Oates, Bill Oates; and half-sister, Mae Oates Price.

Survivors include her sons, Charles Michael Smyre and wife, Nora, of Conover; James Earl Smyre and wife, Ginger, of Newton; daughters, Barbara Ann Smyre of Newton, Linda Smyre Brittian and husband, Ronnie, of Conover; sister, Sherry Garris Travis of Newton; grandchildren, Shanna Rabon and husband, Graham, of Huntersville, Jamie Smith and husband, Michael, of Conover, Kolby, Bailey and Holden Smyre; great-grandchildren, Sammy and Leland Rabon, and Rylee Smith.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church with Rev. John Lingle officiating.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 1940 St. James Church Road, Newton, NC 28658 or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.