Juanita Curry Mcnew

Juanita Curry McNew died Wednesday, July 27, 2022. She was 70 years old.

Juanita was born February 9, 1952, and lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina, with her father and mother, George and Thelma Curry of Roaring River, and her brothers Gil, Bryant, and Dwight Curry and sisters Elaine and Lydia Curry. She attended Berea College and married Oscar McNew of Conway, Kentucky, in 1971. As Oscar was an officer in the U.S. Air Force, over the years they lived in North Carolina, Texas, Washington State, California, and Indiana.

She is survived by Oscar; her daughter Cindy, son-in-law Jeff Kehler, and grandson Christopher Vaught; her daughter Joy, son-in-law Brian Hardy, and grandchildren Lily and Ben Hardy; and her daughter Beatrice and son-in-law Michael Wessel; as well as her brother Gil and sister-in-law Paula Curry; her brother Bryant and sister-in-law Goldie Curry; her sister Elaine and brother-in-law Bob Silva; her sister Lydia Tilley; and her brother Dwight and sister-in-law Sandra Curry. She is remembered also by her many nieces and nephews: Leigh and Pam Curry, Heather O’Brien, Angie and Mike Earnhardt, Mitchell Curry, Vesta Silva and Jon Wiebel, April Silva, Amy and Matt Strickland, Jodi and Kenny Province, Scott and Jessica Tilley, Justin and Candace Curry, and Ben and Holli Curry.

Juanita loved and followed Christ throughout her life. She enjoyed gardening, raising vegetables and flowers. A plant had only to be in her house or garden to grow and flourish. She canned tomatoes and peaches, made jelly and jam, and fed her family with the bounty throughout the year. She had only to add a little of this and that to a pot to make the best food you can imagine. Her passion for caring for her family was the greatest motivator in her life. She was generous, loving, kind, and hospitable to all. Her beautiful voice was raised in singing with her church and with her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She worked for many years as a tutor and teacher’s aide, helping young children to read, learn, and grow. She loved identifying plants and flowers and feeding animals and birds. She was funny, with a good sense of humor. She loved long drives and ice cream. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, wife, and daughter. Her spirit and smile will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be conducted Monday, August 1, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at Brier Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Alvin Johnson and Rev. Kenny Pardue officiating. Burial will follow the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to the Brier Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, attn: Nancy Mickel, 348 Bullard Blvd, Ronda, NC, 28670 and to Heifer International, https://www.heifer.org/ .