Juanita Mae Smith Wantz

Juanita Mae Smith Wantz, 84, a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville, PA died there peacefully Sunday morning, September 11, 2005, following a brief illness.

She was born in East Lynn, (Wayne Co.), WV February 9, 1921 a daughter of James P. (Blacksmith Pate) and Dollie Matthis Napier.  She married Ernest C. Smith of Botetourt County, Virginia May 30, 1936 and he preceded her in death in 1975.  She subsequently married Robert Wantz and he also preceded her in death.

She resided in various towns in West Virginia and graduated from Wayne High School, Wayne, WV.  She also lived in Grove City, PA and later relocated to St. Petersburg, FL.  While living in Florida, she raised splendid orchids, and became very well known as “The Orchid Lady of Sun Isle Drive.”  She was a member of Saegertown United Methodist Church, Saegertown, PA and the Good Hope Chapter 109 Order of Eastern Star, Good Hope, WV.  She was an avid outdoors person who in her younger years enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Survivors, include: one daughter, Norma Reynolds and her husband Rolfe of Saegertown; one sister, Doris Dial and her husband Charles of Lavalette, WV, six grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, one grandniece and one great grandniece.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by two sons, James P. Smith and Ernest James Smith and three brothers, Oscar, Allen and Charles Napier.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Kenneth S. Custer, Pastor of Saegertown United Methodist Church, officiating.

Burial will be Thursday in Community Memorial Gardens, Wayne, WV.

The family suggests memorials be made to Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Avenue, Meadville, PA 16335.