Juanita Childers Thomas

Juanita Childers Thomas February 17, 1930 – April 24, 2017  Juanita Elizabeth Childers Thomas, age 87, died on Monday, April 24, 2017. She was born on February 17, 1930 in Smithfield, North Carolina to the late Reverend William Paul and Addie Beaty Childers.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Grady Thomas. Juanita attended Campbell University and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in elementary education. Her career in teaching spanned 31 years.  She had a gift for encouraging her students and a passion for education.  She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honor society for women educators. Juanita was an active member of First Christian Church in Wilson, North Carolina for 55 plus years. Her commitment and love for her church was shown by her service on many committees.  She was president of the CWF, board member of the church school nursery and a deacon.  Juanita was especially proud of her work in the Stephen Ministry of her church. Juanita is survived by three children, Starlette Thomas Walston and husband, Stuart of Wilson, William Corbitt Thomas and Jennifer Juergens of Orlando, Florida, and Jon Timothy Thomas and wife, Leanne of Wilson. She has 5 grandchildren, Anna Walston Williams and husband, Ben of Raleigh, Sarah Walston Madry and husband, Hayden of Singapore, Ayden Elizabeth Thomas of Valrico, Florida, Mallory Anne Thomas of Altamonte Springs, Florida, and Jon Elliott Thomas of Wilson; 2 great-grandchildren, David Stuart Williams and Margaret Sarah Williams, one brother, William Paul Childers, Jr. of Wake Forest, and sister-in-law, Charlotte Thomas Burns of Sanford. A funeral service will be held at the First Christian Church, 207 N. Tarboro Street, Wilson, North Carolina on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ben Williams and Rev. Gary Walling officiating.  A graveside service will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Christian Church, PO Box 2702, Wilson, North Carolina 27894. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.