[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JUANITA WINSTON SMITH-OWENS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
legacy of a dedicated servant, Mrs. Juanita Winston Smith-Owens.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens, who was the seventh child of sixteen children, was 
born to the late Johnnie and Ruby Winston on December 6, 1917 in 
Pickens, MS. After aging and a short period of illness, Juanita 
completed her earthly journey while at Westminster Terrance Healthcare 
Center on August 4, 2016. It was a peaceful passing when she took her 
Savior's hand and transcended into eternity.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens received her early childhood education from the 
Little Red Schoolhouse formerly known as Richland High School in 
Pickens, MS.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens was married to the late Fred Smith, and this union 
was blessed with eight children. After the death of her husband, she 
later married Jerry Lee Owens and to this union no children were born, 
but she gave her wisdom and love to three stepchildren.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and was 
baptized at Crossroad Missionary Baptist Church, currently known as Mt. 
Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Pickens, MS under the pastorate of 
Reverend Don Sutton. In later years, she joined and united with Newport 
Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend J.L. Cross 
where she served in several capacities: Mother's Board, Church 
Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, President of the Usher Board, and a 
member of the Choir. She also served for many years as the Treasurer of 
the Lebanon District Association and Vice President of the District 
Rose Hill Convention. Mrs. Smith-Owens served faithfully. She later 
moved to Jackson, MS with her children and united as a watch-care 
member from Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate 
of Reverend Jeffery Stegall. Again, she relocated to Louisville, KY 
where she united with Community Baptist Church under the pastorate of 
Reverend William T. Shoemaker.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens lived a long industrious, hard working life. For 
many years, she labored as an agriculturalist and a cook at Double 
Quick Store No. 19 in Lexington, MS for 16 years and she gave true 
light to the phrase ``Be the job large or small do it well or not at 
all.'' She retired from public work in 1989 and enjoyed traveling 
throughout the United States with her children.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens was preceded in death by: her beloved mother, Ruby 
Walker; father, Johnny Winston; spouses: Fred Smith and Jerry L. Owens; 
two daughters: Mildred Smith, and Patsie Williams; two sons: Andrew 
Smith and John Smith; two granddaughters: Jacqueline Campbell-Jones and 
Racine Smith; one step-son, Lathan Jefferson; three brothers: Louis 
Stuart, Jesse Castel and Melvin; seven sisters: Ora, Eliza, Ida, 
Vivian, Lottie, Lela Mae, and Cora; and two son-in-laws: Charles Smith 
and Roy Williams.
  Mrs. Smith-Owens leaves to rejoice her legacy and cherish her 
memories: four children: Richard (Burnette) Smith, Myron Smith, Dorothy 
Williams of Jackson, MS and Regina Commodore of Louisville, KY; two 
step-daughters: Geraldine Owens and Debbie Horton of Chicago, IL; three 
sisters: Julie (Jack) Greer of Lexington, MS, Thelma (Samuel) Greene, 
and Gertrude (Charles) Green of Chicago, IL; twenty six (26) 
grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren, great-great 
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, a multitude of cousins and a legion of 
friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the legacy 
of Mrs. Juanita Winston Smith-Owens for her life and works to be 
remembered.

                          ____________________