Juanita B. Garner

May 23, 2008 10:11 am

— Juanita B. Garner, formerly of Elmore City, was born on July 7, 1907 in Chagers, Oklahoma in Carter County to John Henry and Ada Vina (Keenan) Welch and entered eternal life on Sunday, May 18, 2008 in Jourdanton, Texas at the age of 100 years.
Juanita grew up in the Satterwhite and Eola area and moved to Elmore City in 1946 where she resided until 2 years ago.
On October 16, 1926, Juanita married Leonard Thurman Garner in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elmore City. Juanita loved the outdoors, particularly flowers and gardening. She was known for her wonderful cooking. Her family and friends were the highlights of her life.
Juanita taught her family to love others and to display that trait by maintaining the principle that “if you can’t say good things, just don’t say anything.”
She embraced spending time with her family. It was important to Juanita that her children grew up to be faithful Christians by following her example of putting her Lord first. She believed that you should make daily Bible readings a priority in your life. Juanita continued her daily Bible readings up to three days before her death.
Mrs. Garner is survived by one son: Johnny Garner of Pleasanton, Texas; three sisters: Lena Pitchford, Berniece Scott and Jessie Pyle; five grandchildren: Jerry McAlister, Glen McAlister, Lee Garner, Tammy West and Donna Hutchinson; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Garner is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Thurman Garner on December 19, 1971; her daughter, Essie Merle McAlester; four brothers: Virgil, Clarence, Frank and Leonard Welch; and two sisters, Trudy Elkins and Beatrice Charles; and her granddaughter, Gayla Matthews.
Funeral services for Juanita B. Garner are scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Elmore City, with Dr. Bruce McCray officiating. Interment will be in the Elmore City Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com.