Juanita Matilda (Davis) Rich

Juanita Matilda Davis Rich was born on April 14, 1936, in the Colly Township in Bladen County, NC, to Evander Jerome and Alice Etta Autry Davis. She was preceded in death by her parents, her 3 brothers: Floyd and wife Blanch, Norton, and wife Alma, and Richard and wife’s Annella, and Cheryl Davis; 4 sisters: Hettie Benton and husband Walter Carl, Ila Smith and husband Dewey, Scotia Honeycutt and husband J.C., and Trudy Hinson and husband Gordon; her brother-in-law: Eddis Rich & wife Mildred; 2 sister-in-law’s: Mary Alice Jackson & husband Maurice, Josephine Smith & husband Ivy Lee, her son-in-law: Billy Sprouse, and her husband: Paul Rich. She married Paul Dixon Rich from Garland, NC. They remained married for 63 years, until his death, in 2015. They had 2 children: Terry Dexter, and Cynthia Ann. On May 26, 1974, Terry blessed her with her first grandson: Christopher Michael. Terry brought her a second grandchild: Dylan, when Terry married Tina Simpson on Nov. 29, 2009. She traveled the world with her husband Paul. They made Clinton their home in 1973 after her husband retired from the Air Force. Juanita supported her family by being involved in their lives. She helped her husband learn the required materials, leading to his promotions. She participated in extracurricular activities with her children such as band mother for Terry, Girl Scouts for Cindy, and a board member for the P.T.A. in both schools. She kept her husband’s records for his small engine repair shop. She also taught sewing and quilting at the senior center in Sampson County through her employment with the community college. She had faith in God, and was an active member in all the churches she attended. She taught Sunday school and was their department director. She sang with the adult choir and rang handbells with the Master Ringers. She was the WMU president in Texas. She was a member of the Eastern Star organization. She rose to the level of Worthy Matron of the Clinton Chapter and their district. She became the president of the Clinton Garden Club. She loved reading and learning, and being with her family and friends. When she became homebound, she loved her visits from the churches' senior council and those who brought her meals every week. She loved getting cards and phone calls from friends and family. She always wanted to know what was going on in their life so she could support them. She was a teacher, leader, mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She died on April 6, 2024, and left: Terry D. Rich, Tina S. Rich, Cynthia R. Sprouse, Christopher M. Rich, and Dylan Simpson, to mourn her passing to heaven.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 PM, at Carter Funeral Home, 111 N. Ingold Ave., Garland, NC.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 408 College St., Clinton, NC. Pastor Lynn Blackburn will be officiating the service. Interment to follow in the Rich Cemetery, 1490 Lamb Road, Garland, NC.

Arrangements are provided by Carter Funeral Home in Garland. www.carterfh.com

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