Juanita N. (Henderson) George, 88, of New Madison, Ohio, passed away on September 20, 2010, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. Juanita is the daughter of the late Jesse Floyd and Lola Pearl (Ridenour) Henderson, and was born in Wayne County, Indiana, west of Centerville, in the year of 1921. She graduated from New Madison High School in 1940 and married Kenneth W. George on June 29th 1940.
Juanita’s greatest joy was being a good wife, mother, and homemaker. She dearly loved her family. Juanita enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren grow to be great achievers. She always loved to be with them and do for them whatever she could.
For many, many years, she was involved in the American Heart and Cancer Association. For years, Juanita also attended a Wednesday morning Bible Study Group. She was active with a group of women that met once a month to make articles for the Rest Home. She was a former 4-H Club Leader and a former member of the St. Claire Square Dance Club. Juanita also attended the New Madison United Methodist Church and belonged to the Ladies Group.
Before marriage, she was employed for G. C. Murphy Company of Greenville, Ohio, during the Christmas season. When all the children were not in school, she was employed ten years at Neff Lettering Company of Greenville, Ohio.
Juanita was preceded in death by her loving parents, her loving husband Kenneth of 64 years, daughter Mary Lola, another loving Mother Amanda Schelling Henderson (as her birth mother died when she was five years old), her son-in-law Bill Thornburg and daughter-in-law Peggy George, brothers Cecil Henderson of Centerville, Indiana, Ray Henderson of New Paris, Ohio, Fred Elliot of Sidney, Ohio, Clyde Elliot of Eaton, Ohio, Gene Elliott of Michigan, Merl Elliott of Richmond, Indiana, and sisters Mildred Frech of New Paris, Ohio, and Mary Edna of Indianapolis, Indiana.
She is survived by her children Richard George and David (Rebecca) George of New Madison, Ohio; Jan Baird Thornburg of Richmond, Indiana; Samuel George (Cinda) of Medway, Ohio; two sisters, Carolyn McGlothin of Bradford, Ohio, and Phyllis Cheeks of Delisle, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Juanita loved nature, the trees, beautiful sunsets, full moons, the mountain and sounds of the ocean waves washing up on the beach. She loved working in the soil with her husband as they always had a large garden and lots of flowers. The four seasons were to her fascinating. Juanita’s hobbies were needle work, baking and cooking for her husband, family, and friends. She loved to travel, sightsee, and read. Juanita was a true lover of music, especially gospel music.
Family will receive friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2010 at New Madison United Methodist Church. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m., September 25, 2010, also at the church with the Rev. Eric Fee being asked to officiate. Burial will follow in Greenmound Cemetery. Juanita requested memorial contributions be given to The Alzheimer’s Association or New Madison United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.storchbraundfuneralhome.com. Services are entrusted to Braund Funeral Home in New Madison.
