Juanita McKinney Woody, age 88, of Old U.S. 221-North in Marion, the Woodlawn community, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2022 at the Mitchell House in Spruce Pine.
Born on April 12, 1934 in Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Dewey and Nell Gurley. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her first husband, Douglas McKinney, second husband, Todd Woody, her brothers Frank and RC Gurley; sister, Estelle Carroll, nephew’s Danny Carroll and Keith Gurley, and niece’s Mona Sigmon and Becky Gurley.
Juanita was a member of First Baptist Church in Marion. She began her accomplished career in 1955 as a registered nurse at Spruce Pine Community Hospital. She joined the staff at American Thread in 1956 as the plant nurse. During her career she became a certified occupational health nurse and developed the occupational health program across the Coats American Corporation. She retired after forty-two years of service. She enjoyed quilting, painting, gardening, and spending time with her family. She was widely loved and respected.
Juanita was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, and Granny. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter; Patricia Collis and husband, Tom of Spruce Pine; her daughter; Polly Sisk and husband, Mark of Asheboro; her son; Chris McKinney and wife, Linda of Wilmington. She was beloved by her grandchildren; Sarah Torkington and husband, Jack of Winston-Salem; Andrea Sisk of Raleigh; Hayden Sisk and wife, Heather of Asheboro; Emily Middleton and husband, Michael of Bristol, England; and Douglas McKinney of Chapel Hill. She was also a wonderful great-grandmother to her grandson, Liam Torkington. She was also survived by extended family nieces; Pam Farris of Morganton and Kathy Rogers of Brighton, Michigan; sisters-in-law; Irene McKinney of Spruce Pine and Myrtle Lois Stroud of Nebo; and nephew; Latrelle McKinney of Chambersburg, PA.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge and to the staff at Mitchell House for their wonderful care of Juanita.
Flowers will be accepted and appreciated, or memorial donations may be made to; American Heart Association. Donations may be made online at Heart.org, by calling 1-800-242-8721 or by mail to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
The funeral service for Juanita Woody is on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Marion with the Dr. Scott Hagaman officiating. The family will receive friends immediately preceding the funeral, at the church from 2 - 3 pm. Graveside services will be immediately after the funeral at Grassy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Spruce Pine.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Juanita Woody’s name and then you may sign her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Woody and is honored to be serving the Woody family. Mrs. Woody’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.