Juanita Smith

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Click the SLIDE SHOW symbol above
to view some of her photographs
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Juanita Smith, 68, of Waco, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at her residence surrounded by her loved ones.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, 1400 Washington, with Msgr. Mark Deering as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Calm Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque, followed by visitation with the family.

A memorial video honoring her life can be viewing during the visitation or by clicking the SLIDE SHOW symbol above.

She was born July 19, 1939, in Speegleville, which is now Lake Waco, to the late Joe and Beulah (Godfrey) Rodriguez. Nita grew up most of her life in Mt. Calm and Waco. She met and married Margarito Franco in Waco, whom preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 1983. She produced six children from this marriage but later divorced Margarito in 1976.

She met Floyd "Smitty" E. Smith at Ft. Hood and later married Nov. 5, 1977, at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, and had one child from this union. They moved around to various locations since Smitty was in the Army and they came full circle and retired in Waco in 1993. Juanita travelled the world being an Army wife and enjoyed every place she went. She gained new friends and learned new cultures which enlightened her life tremendously.

Nita went on to do many things in life but her most proudest accomplishment was being a CNA for Providence Home Care for 15 years. She was also proud of being their representative for 4 years straight as a 5 Star Vision Winner. She was a loving wife, adoring mother, big sister, greatest friend and the best grandmother any kid could have. Juanita will be always remembered and forever missed by so many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Bulia Rodriguez; her mother-in-law, Betty G. Smith; her father-in-law, William E. Smith; her ex-husband, Margarito Franco; her aunt, Gertrude Caballero; and her big brother, Wallace "Luppy" Rodriguez; her brother-in-law, Sam Caldera; and her sister-in-law, Helen Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 30 years, Floyd "Smitty" E. Smith; her children, Gloria "Jeanie" Thibodeau and husband, Steve of Augusta, Ga., Patricia Piper, Margaret Franco-Denmon and husband, Clyde of Austin, Jacqueline Wetzel and husband, Tim of Las Vegas, N.V., Michael Franco and wife, Lonnita of Columbus, Ga., Paul Franco and wife, Ronna of Pflugerville, and Lynda Smith of Waco; her sister, Mary Caldera of Waco; her brother, John Rodriguez and wife, Christine of Waco; sister-in-law, Tillie Rodrgiuez of Denver, Colo.; seven brothers-in-law, Mark Smith, Thomas Smith, William Smith, Stephen Smith, Ernest Smith, Ray Smith, Ira Smith, Patrick Smith and the late Neil Smith and all their families; sisters-in-law, Betty Mills, Berdenia Qualls, Tina Mattison, Teresa Smith and Denira Soper and their familes; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family would also like to thank all of the people who were there helping her from the beginning to the end- Providence Hospital, Texas NeuroRehab, St. Catherine and Providence Hospice. A very special thanks to Evelyn Wiley, Tasha Bryant, Judy Hailey and Jeanette Lingle for their excellent care our of mother and wife and they neverending support thru all of this.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be sent to The Juanita Smith Scholarship Fund for CNAs, c/o OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX., 76710

After the burial, the luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Centex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 915 LaSalle Avenue, Waco, TX (254) 754-7111.