BENNETT, Juanita Loraine

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ February 17, 2009 Juanita Loraine (Holland) Bennett, 83, of Joseph City went to be with her Lord Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at the Carriage House in Snowflake. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and aunt has completed her earthly journey. She was born June 18, 1925, in Plainview, Texas, to Elmer and Florence (Bohner) Holland. She graduated from Olton High School in Olton, Texas, Wayland College in Plainview, Texas, Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She taught school in Texas, Winslow and Joseph City. Juanita served as a field representative for the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, traveling and working in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona for several years before her marriage. As she was serving the Lord in Winslow First Baptist Church as youth director and church secretary, she met Bill Bennett, a Winslow school teacher. They were married Oct. 15, 1955, and had three sons and a daughter. Juanita loved to travel. She, her husband and family members visited many wonderful places in God's created world. She was a kind, caring, faithful, loyal, loving wife, mother, aunt and true friend. Her life touched and influenced friends and many students as she taught first and third grade students during her career. She has now joined her parents, two older brothers, Nolan and Marvin Holland in Heaven. She is survived by husband Bill; sons Alan (Steph) and Daryl (Julie) of Flagstaff; daughter Lori (Kevin) of Hope, Ind.; son Rick (Gina) of Franklin, Tenn.; grandsons Craig Bennett of Phoenix, Chris Bennett of FIagstaff, Ben Bennett of Tucson, Micheal Rucker of Hope, Ind., Grant Bennett of Franklin, Tenn., and Daniel (Ana) Ledford of Phoenix; granddaughters Casey Rucker of Hope, Ind., Katie Bennett of Tucson, Ana Grace Bennett of Franklin, Tenn., Delilah Ledford of Phoenix and Sarah (Dwight) Huff of Phoenix; sister-in-law Ginger Holland of Clovis, N.M.; nephews Randy (Kathi) of Holland, Clovis N.M., Larry (Terry) Holland of Lubbock, Texas, and Boyd (Cindy) Holland of Leander, Texas; nieces Lisa (Brent) Inman of Texaco, N.M., Glenda (Mark) Green of Lubbock, Texas, Linda Williams of Atlanta Ga., Barbara (Charles) Gilliam of Baton Rouge, La., and Danita (John) Blythe of Petersburg, Texas; grandnephew Stephen Gilliam of Baton Rouge La.; grandnieces Stephanie Gilliam of Baton Rouge La., and Holly Inman of Texaco, N.M.; and many other relatives. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at First Baptist Church in Holbrook with a viewing at the church at 9:30 a.m. with services at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Joseph City Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Greer Mortuary of Winslow.