Juanita Smith

Juanita Smith, age 91, died Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born September 20, 1928, in Johnson, Kansas, the daughter of M.E. (Joe) and Maude M. (Drennon) Eyman.

Juanita grew up with her sisters on the family homestead north of Big Bow on the Big Bow Grade. As a young girl, she helped her grandma in the store at Big Bow. She said the best part of that job was the ice cream they had at harvest time.

Juanita married Charles Smith shortly after graduating from Grant County Rural High School in 1947.

Charles and Juanita lived in the housing at the Hugoton Production Plant south of Ulysses after Charles was discharged from the Navy. They then built a new home in Ulysses, later moving to Big Bow to live on their farm.

Charles passed away in 2009. Juanita stayed on the farm until July 2014, when she moved into Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Juanita loved her cats and any other little fuzzy animals. She had a special talent for counted cross stitch pictures of which the family has many cherished pictures. She loved to work with her flowers, both inside and out.

Juanita is survived by her son, Richard Smith and wife, Linda, of Ulysses, Kansas; daughter, Shirley Shouse and husband, Michael, of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Jo Anne Pucket of Ulysses, Kansas; grandchildren, Andy Waldren and wife, Jen, Jennifer Weber and husband, Bryce, Heather Judy, and Shawn Brown; eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; and sisters, Betty Campbell and Joyce Rexroat.

Funeral service will be Friday, February 14, 2020, at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Ulysses, Kansas, with Reverend Jay Mykytiuk officiating. There will be no public calling hours. Interment will be at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer’s Association or St. Croix Hospice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.