On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Juanita, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
Juanita was the 6th of seven children born to Hugh and Zeola McSmith on March 16, 1932, in Trickham, Texas. She grew up in Carrizozo, New Mexico and after graduating, moved to San Angelo, Texas where she met the love of her life, Johnny Johnson, at church. They married on September 13,1951 and were blessed with 67 wonderful years together.
Juanita played a pivotal role of raising a family while juggling the daily grinds of a country mom. It was not beneath her to shoot and remove a bobcat from the hen house or the rattlesnake from the front porch. Nor, never wavering from her 60-mile round trip school bus driving duties that were carried out daily, regardless of weather conditions – in the family station wagon. Juanita was able to withstand the hands of time, and if her hands could talk, you could not write a better life. (Not to mention, one of those hands to the backside; this went a long way with an individual’s train of thought.)
She loved taking care of and spending time with her family. Her many talents included playing the piano, singing, and square dancing. She was an accomplished seamstress making everything from clothing for the family, to prom dresses, and their square dance outfits for competitions.
At the age of 70, her and Johnny found their passion for Princess cruising and were blessed to get to see and travel the world.
She is survived by one son, Mark Johnson; and two daughters, Sherri Onstead and Terri Brownlee and husband, Darrick. Juanita had nine grandchildren: Dawnette Thompson and husband, Steve; Chad Onstead, Lacy Slaymaker and husband, Mitch; Dustin Brownlee and wife, Rachel; Brittani Brownlee and fiancé, Clint; Tyler Brownlee and wife, Alexandria; Brandon Johnson and wife, Niki; Delaina Mendez, and RaeLynn Salcido and husband, Adrian. Juanita was also survived by fourteen great grandchildren: Jimmy, Wyatt, Andrew, Sage, Justin, Kennady, Karter, Kandyce, Lillian, Jacey, Jaxson, Nathan, Emma, and Jordan. She was survived by one sister-in-law, Velma Brown; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Johnny; her parents - Hugh and Zeola McSmith; one son, Weylin; one granddaughter, Michelle Onstead; four brothers: Joe, Leroy, Newman, and Delbert McSmith; and two sisters: Aletha Barton and LaVerne Lindsay.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22,2021 at Cherokee Baptist Church with Shannon Bond officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Onstead, Brandon Johnson, Dustin Brownlee, Tyler Brownlee, Jimmy Kniss, and Wyatt Kniss.