Mrs. Juanita Elizabeth Smith Dexter

Juanita Elizabeth Dexter, a resident of Wilsonville, Oregon, died on July 12, 2010 in Portland. She was 86 years of age.

Juanita was born on February 13, 1924 in Portland, Oregon and was the daughter of Hubert and Mildred (Denison) Smith. She graduated from Girls Poly High School in 1940 and on October 4, 1941, she married Lorain Donald Dexter in Vancouver, Washington.

Shortly after the wedding, Lorain was sent off to fight in the War and Juanita went to work in the shipyards, serving her country the best way she knew how. After the war ended Juanita and Lorain started their family and Juanita made it her primary occupation to care for her home and raise her two children. After they were grown and out of the home, she went to work for Daisy Drycleaners where she worked as a manager and was awarded for her accomplishments in her position. She retired in 1973.

Juanita resided for most of her life in the Park Rose area. She also lived in East County for 10 years and just recently moved to Wilsonville in 2008 where she lived closer to her granddaughter.

Juanita’s life was her family. She loved the time spent and memories made with each one of them. Her unconditional love and understanding demeanor made her the model mother and grandmother. She gained a lot of joy in life from being a grandma and was privileged to have had a personal relationship with each one of her 6 great grandchildren. She enjoyed treasures and giving special trinkets to her family. She liked antiques and estate sales and had a great fondness for her trips to Reno and Las Vegas where she would play the slot machines. In her younger years she enjoyed fishing and traveling in the Motor home; hobbies that were reserved for time spent with her late husband.

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Brenda Beane of Canby, son, Gerald Dexter of Bend and sister, Virginia Dexter of Portland along with 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband Lorain and her sister, June Townsend both preceded her in death.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham. Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Contributions may be made in memory of Juanita to Hopewell House or to the Oregon Humane Society. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.