Juanita Elnora Taylor Drachenberg

Juanita Taylor Drachenberg, of Smyer, passed away on the morning of February 13, 2013 at the age of 84. She was born on July 7, 1928 to Marvin and Ruby Taylor. She and her siblings, Joyce and Edward, grew up on their family’s ranch near Plains, Texas.

On September 3, 1949 Juanita married William Albert Drachenberg of Smyer. She was a loving mother and was very proud of the four children that she and Albert raised. Her 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren could always count on her to have a full cookie jar and a warm hug whenever they dropped by.

As entrepreneurs, Juanita and her husband farmed in the Lubbock area for over twenty years. Throughout the years, she turned her many talents into several small businesses: she was a seamstress and an antique dealer. As an avid gardener, Juanita blessed her many friends and family with bounty from her large vegetable garden.

Never one to stay idle, Juanita filled her life with many service activities. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and had served her church since joining in 1966. As an active member of the Smyer community, she was involved with many community service projects, and she was especially involved with the Smyer Senior Citizen Center.

She is survived by her four children: Beatrice and Mike Stone, John and Gail Drachenberg, James and Denise Drachenberg, and Raymond and Vickie Drachenberg. Twelve grandchildren: Tricia Newman, JoAnna Pryor, Heather Coleman, Wendy Johnson, Tina Reed, Michael Drachenberg, Cristy Johnson, Chris Drachenberg, Laura Vandercook, Sarah Myers, Trent Drachenberg, and KarleyDrachenberg. And her nineteen great-grandchildren: Alicia Choate, Collen Pryor,Kody Pryor, Austin Clark, Ezra Reed, Zane Pryor, Cameron Coleman, Madeleine Johnson, Vincent Reed, Miriam Johnson, Cooper Coleman, Allyssa Vandercook, Amanda Johnson, Kyle Johnson, David Vandercook Jr., J.W. Drachenberg, Nathan Johnson, and Kaytlin Vandercook.

She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Drachenbergand her siblings Joyce Hoffman and Edward Taylor.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home. The service to celebrate and remember her life will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2221 Ave. W. Burial will follow immediately at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com