CATER, Juanita Pike, 88, of West Palm Beach, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away March 15 at her home after a long illness. Known for her beautiful smile and calm demeanor, she was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach on May 11, 1929 to the late James Coy and Elizabeth Dodd Pike. A graduate of Palm Beach High School, she received a Bachelor’s Degree from Mary Washington College, which was the women’s college of the University of Virginia. A dedicated Christian, she was a devoted wife to John Cater for 58 years. He predeceased her in 2010.
Juanita was an owner and vice president of Cater Furniture Co. where her attention to detail served her well as she handled special orders and selected merchandise.
She enjoyed entertaining and was a gracious hostess who welcomed as many as 60 people at a time to her house while making it look effortless. She spent days preparing special dishes such as her homemade pound cake. No matter what the occasion, she was always perfectly dressed and looked as if she had just left the beauty salon. A lovely lady both inside and out who had a servant’s heart, Juanita was the epitome of refinement and was always there for friends and family.
A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, she was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter J, a member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and during her children’s school years, the president of the Belvedere Elementary PTA. Juanita volunteered in the church nursery taking care of babies for 25 years. She served on the decorating committee at then-Palm Beach Atlantic College where her husband was a founding trustee.
Juanita is survived by her children Susan Salisbury (Bruce Schatz), Nancy Victor (Brian) and John Cater III (Estelle) and her grandchildren Elizabeth Collins (Clay), Brad Salisbury (Tara), Jack Salisbury (Anna), and Rebecca, Caroline, Elizabeth and Emily Cater. She is also survived by great-granddaughters June, Penelope and Lainey. She was predeceased by her brother Charles Pike and is survived by her brother J.C. Pike.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 24 at QUATTLEBAUM FUNERAL, CREMATION & EVENT CENTER as HILLCREST, 6411 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405.
