Juanda A. Arnett

Juanda A. Arnett (93) of Columbia, SC, passed peacefully on April 21, 2025 surrounded by many of her family and clergy. Born Juanda Lee Atkinson to Myrtle Rowe and Jesse Atkinson on December 28, 1931 in Lexington, VA. She spent her early years in the hills of West Virginia in Spring Hill, South Charleston and Charleston. Preceded in death by her cherished husband of fifty four years, William E. Arnett Jr. “Bill” aka Sweetie. Survived by her daughter, Lee Anne Arnett Strauss and her husband, Charles Werner Strauss of Columbia, SC; her son, William E. Arnett III “Trip” of Townville, SC formerly of Honolulu, HI; two grandsons, Jonathan Werner Strauss (Sally) and William Charles Strauss (Anna); and her cherished great-grandchildren, Charlie, Mae, Cooper, and Annie, all of Columbia, SC. Also survived by her sister-in-law, Carolyn A. Rocchio; nephew, Tracy Dent (Karin); niece, Kristi Wick Whisner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

After years in West Virginia, South Carolina became home for her specifically in North Augusta for raising kids, and Columbia for assisting with grandkids. While residing in North Augusta, she was very active in PTA, Scouts, Fairview Presbyterian Church, Carolina Hills Garden Club, former President of American Cancer Society, CSRA division, Carolina Hills Garden Club, NASC Zoning Commission, and NA Country Club.

As her children grew into adolescence, she started her real estate career in the North Augusta/Augusta/Belvedere markets and was a top producing agent with NA Board of Realtors. Her 25 year “dabble” into the real estate world with her buddies Sara and Ernestine were spent with Louis P. Wanniger Realty, Treadway Realty, Robert Heos Realty, and eventually Beaufort and Zealy Realty.

After a brief stint in Mobile, Alabama due to Bill’s transfer, they chose to return to South Carolina – Columbia – upon marriage of Lee Anne and Charles to standby for grandbabies and later her beloved great-grands. This is when she found her true calling of “Nana”. And she was “Nana” to everyone she met.

Not being one to idle quietly, she served as receptionist and switchboard operator for 20 years at M.B. Kahn Construction Co. in Columbia. When 9-5 got to be too time consuming, she chose to move on to the SC Arts Commission as receptionist for 24+ years.

All this professional experience was done while earning her BS in History with a minor in Art History from the University of South Carolina in 2003 at the age of 72. The stories of “Nana” and her classmates half her age and her many student athletes were the subject of many family dinners and humorous family gatherings. Inspired by being the only sibling in her family to attend college, she felt compelled to start work on her Masters degree at the age of 82.

A USC graduate and Gamecock supporter, she successfully maneuvered a House Divided and became a dedicated Clemson supporter and it was common to catch her changing clothes on any given football Saturday to show her allegiance to either or both schools.

She was destined to be a switchboard operator as her mother and multiple sisters were switchboard operators. She started her switch pulling at McJunkin Corp, Charleston, WV, where she met her “Sweetie”. During her young professional life, she served as president of Beta Sigma Phi, Business Women’s Sorority for many years.

Being the last surviving sibling of her twelve brothers and sisters, gave her the incentive and confidence to always press on and like Jimmy Valvano - never give up, never ever give up. She embraced the mantra “Don’t ever let the best you’ve done be your goal in life.”

An active member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church congregation and choir, she really grew into her role as “Nana”. Through the choir, she had beautiful experiences and memories of traveling overseas and upstate. She shared her love of flowers and floral arranging with her own mother and daughter. Depending on which holiday, she could be seen all over the church grounds and through any and all neighborhoods to gather magnolia or needed greenery to decorate the sanctuary for every holiday.

She lived every moment to the fullest potential and certainly squeezed a lot of life into her 93 years. She never met a stranger and loved to have anyone or everyone at her table for any meal. She became an excellent self taught cook and baker, part time therapist to anyone from bridge club, good neighbors, her children and grandchildren’s friends. With her mother being a piano teacher, she grew up loving music, and playing guitar for anyone who’d listen. She was also an avid reader.

The family wishes to thank the Lexington Community Hospice House staff, the staff at Prisma Health Richland, and Forest Lake Manor for their loving care. We are also grateful for the many years of excellent medical care of Dr. Leslie Stuck, Dr. Rodney Rhinehart, and Dr. Cindy Volpe.

Services will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm in Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC, with visitation following the service in the church dining room.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Trenholm Rd UMC Foundation – Music Fund, 3401 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29204 or Carnation Foundation (Lexington Community Hospice House), PO Box 37, Lexington, SC 29072.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.