Juanita Ellen Wanless

Juanita Wanless of Cherokee, Oklahoma died Friday the 7th of April 2017 in Mesquite, Texas, where she spent the last 12 years of her life. Born in 1924 in Alva, Oklahoma, Juanita graduated valedictorian at Cherokee High School in 1942. She moved to Washington, DC, where she worked at the Pentagon as a Clerk Typist during World War II. She met her husband, Army SFC John Wanless, during this time, and they were married in December 1943. They were married for 34 years until his death. Juanita had a lifelong passion of reading, and dedicated her life to raising her four children. She was a doting grandmother to 16, great-grandmother to 21, and great-great-grandmother to eight. Juanita lived her faith at church and at home, and was a lifelong teacher and volunteer both in church and in her community. Juanita is preceded in death by her husband: John Wanless, married for 34 years; parents: Hester Sophronia Gorrell Jessup and Moses Otis Jessup, and stepfather George Camp; brothers: Alan Jessup, David Camp, Glen Camp; sisters: Beulah Small, Claire Fullerton, Mary Young, Laverda Guffey; and grandchildren: Nita Wanless and Shirley Wanless. Juanita is survived by her children: Susan O’Neill, Mary Keene, John Wanless, Elizabeth Hinkley; grandchildren: Patricia Hagerty, Tina LaBarbera, David Brake Jr., Kat Greenwalt, Robert Keene, Andrew Keene, Robin Thomason, Rachel Wanless, Jonathan Wanless, Rebecca Vincent, Karen Hinkley, William Hinkley, Catherine Hinkley, Angela Hinkley; great-grandchildren: Florencio Avila, Nico Avila, Crystal Avila, Angel Castro, Anthony Castro, Aubrey LaBarbera, Jordan LaBarbera, Dawson Brake, Shaylee Brake, Scarlett Greenwalt, Trent Greenwalt, Logan Keene, Kaitlyn Chapman, Kiley Keene, Kyndal Keene, Samuel Keene, Grady Thomason, Mackenzie Thomason, William Vincent, James Vincent, Alexander Vincent; great-great-grandchildren: Cassidy Avila, Cain Avila, Ares Avila, Korbin Amador, Thomas Amador, Jack Amador, Leilani Avila, Giovanni Avila, and brothers: Bill Camp, Leonard Camp, Donald Camp New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale, Texas, has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial services will be held in Mesquite, Texas, and Cherokee, Oklahoma.