Juanita Kepley Secrest

Juanita was born February 24, 1928 in Charlotte, NC to the late Walter Robert Kepley, Sr. and Mazie Lee Simpson Kepley. Juanita was a charter member of White Plains United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Walter Robert Kepley, Jr.; and a granddaughter, Melissa Ann Jenista.

Juanita is survived by her husband of 64 years, Eliott Russell Secrest, Sr.; son, Eliott Russell Secrest, Jr. and his wife, Melody of Raleigh; daughters, Bonny Lavern Secrest Jenista and her husband, George of Fort Worth, TX; and Janet Secrest Walker and her husband, Chris of Cary; brother, Jack Simpson Kepley and his wife, Grace of Salisbury; sister, Mary Ruth Spry of Salisbury; sister-in-law, Cornelia Kepley of Lewisville, NC; 9 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.

Juanita loved her family, her church, the beach, music, playing bridge and a good book. Before she married, Juanita was a telephone operator. After she married, and while her children were young, Juanita spent her time at home raising her family. She was a good homemaker and her cooking was incredible. When her children started college, she began to work part time at the North Carolina Department of Revenue and then later at the North Carolina Assigned Risk Bureau. As her children left home, she and Russell operated Rogers Insurance Agency in Apex, NC and later owned Century 21 Village Realty in Cary, NC.

Juanita held various positions including President of the United Methodist Women. Juanita loved to sing in the church choir, a life-long love that began at an early age at Coburn UMC in Salisbury. She continued singing until 1991 when health issues forced her to retire. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was one of her favorite hymns. She also sang in The Sweet Adeline Barber Shop Chorus in Raleigh, NC, under the direction of Rudy Partin.

Juanita enjoyed going to the beach with her extended family. For many years, her brothers and sisters, their families, and her parents would vacation for a week at Crescent Beach (now North Myrtle Beach), SC and Long Beach, NC.

A memorial service will be held 1 pm Saturday, December 8, 2012 at White Plains United Methodist Church, 313 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511. The family will receive friends 5-7 pm Friday, December 7, 2012 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the White Plains United Methodist Church Organ Fund; or Hospice of Wake County.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneCary.com