Juanita Storer Smith

Juanita Storer Smith passed away at home on January 16, 2024. She was born on August 18, 1931, in Iowa, Louisiana which her family helped to found. Juanita grew up in a loving family of her parents and seven siblings. She will be laid to rest with her husband and son in Pine Hill Cemetery there. Juanita met her beloved husband Harold Ray "Smitty" Smith while he was stationed nearby at Chennault Air Force Base. During his service they lived in Madrid, Spain with their young sons, Timothy and Mark. Together, they weathered joy and tragedy for 61 years until Smitty's death in 2014. Tragedy befell the family when Mark was killed by a drunk driver at 20 years old. This crushing loss led Juanita to channel her grief into advocacy for intellectually disabled people. She and her best friend Sue Aldridge successfully asked legislators for funds to purchase a building in Gonzales where those who were so precious to them could gather. Juanita and Sue had many adventures together until Sue's death. Sue's husband Perry continued to visit Juanita until her last day. Juanita's son Tim and devoted daughter-in-law Donna provided support and company in her last years. Understanding her independence and love for her home of 60 years, they gave her space to be herself. Her love for them was complete. Juanita cherished the host of nephews and nieces and many close friends who stayed connected to her by calls, cards, and photos. She greatly missed her beloved nephew, Ben Mount, who was always there when needed. Marion Steck, helped by Juanita and Tim when he came to the U.S. from Poland, called her his American mother. One of the joys of Juanita and Smitty's life was Michelle Morgan Zuniga who grew up as their surrogate grandchild. They first loved her mother Charlotte, and later Michelle and Orwin's daughter Arianna brought Juanita much happiness. Those of us left to continue without her earthly presence will live with the memory of this strong, courageous, and loving woman who was the epitome of kindness and unequivocally believed we are to love one another as Christ taught us. In this spirit she asked only that we do a good deed for those in need in her memory. She is our angel now, but her memory and light will shine on in our lives until we see her again.