On Jan 31st 2013 Juanita Turman left this life as she had lived her life, with the quiet dignity and grace of a humble servant of God. Blessed with a long life, Juanita walked this earth for almost one hundred and one years. She will be remembered as a strong, yet gentle woman who deeply loved God, the church, and her family unselfishly. _x000D_
Born on April 5, 1912 in Murphy, Oklahoma in her parent’s home, Juanita was one of nine children born to Ida Akin Byrd and James Byrd . The family moved from Oklahoma to Billings, Montana by train when Juanita was three years old. After spending three years in Billings, Juanita’s parents homesteaded by horse-drawn wagon to land close to the town of Edgar, living on their property in a tent until her father could build their house. _x000D_
Juanita earned her high school degree from Edgar High School in 1929, and went on to graduate from Intermountain College in Helena in 1933. She then attended Billings Normal School, now known as MSU Billings where she gained a certificate to teach elementary students. Juanita began her teaching career immediately following her graduation and taught school in three rural schools in Carbon County and then in Edgar High School where she taught History, Social Studies, General Science, and Music until her marriage to Wallace Turman in 1944. _x000D_
Wallace moved his new bride to his ranch in the Crow Creek Valley, near Radersburg, where Juanita began her life as a wife and mother. Their long, happy marriage produced three children, Merle Wallace, Dixie Ann, and Timothy William. Although offered teaching positions in Crow Creek, Juanita was content to stay home with the children and manage her household. After the children were older, Juanita served as the clerk of Crow Creek School, as well as serving on the school board for Townsend schools. _x000D_
Always practical and resourceful, Juanita canned fruit and vegetables from her large garden, baked all her own breads, raised chickens and had milk cows. To supplement the family income, she sold milk and eggs to neighbors, and kept the money in a star baking powder can, using the money to fund her children’s school activities. _x000D_
Juanita believed that loyalty to family was very important and she took her family responsibilities very seriously. Family was an integral part of Juanita’s life, taking care of her widowed mother until she passed away at 98 years of age. Juanita continued her caregiving when Wallace broke a hip, taking care of him until he passed away in 1997, two years after his injury. _x000D_
A woman of great faith, Juanita lived her entire life endeavoring to understand God’s truth from her study of the Bible. She tirelessly sought to please God and be true to His calling. She felt that this was God’s highest calling. Juanita was a very special lady who touched many people’s lives. She will be missed greatly by her family, church family, and friends, but most especially by her daughter, Dixie, who was her caregiver and constant companion for the last 13 years of her life. _x000D_
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Juanita is survived by her children, Dixie Barnard of Helena, Montana, Merle (Bonnie) Turman of (Friday Harbor,WA), and Tim(Sandy) Turman of (Stanwood, WA); grandchildren, Susy (John) Benjamin, Liesl (Ken)Nopp, Lindi Barnard, Carrie(Tim) Hernandez, Amanda(Cameron) Hill , Kristi Turman, Connie Turman, Will(Brooke) Turman, Robert Turman, Bruce(Kelly Ann) Turman, ,and great-grandchildren Kailey, Tehanna, Madison, Ammah,Tyler, Evan, Conner, Hannah, Emrick, Skylar, and Karissa, and numerous nieces and nephews. _x000D_
The visitation will be at Twichel Chapel 314 N. Rodney on Friday February 8th from 5:00-7:00. Services will be held In Helena Saturday February 9th at 11am at the Elks Lodge 330 Lola St with a potluck luncheon immediately following. Graveside Service will be at Radersburg Cemetery at 2:30. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.helenafunerals.com_x000D_
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Anonymous says
Serene Retreat was purchased for the family of Juanita Turman.
Bob & Marilyn Benjamin says
Dear Dixie, Susy & John, Liesl & Ken, Lindy, Hannah, and Emrick,
Our hearts are with you in the loss of your lovely mother and dear, sweet grandmother. You did a beautiful job on the obituary. Not having known her when she was young, it was very interesting to read about her early life. She was such a special person, always having a smile and something cheerful and encouraging to share. We know you will miss her so much! She was very dear to us also, and we will miss her too. We are thankful to have known her and thankful for the inspiration we received from her beautiful spirit and her loving dedication to serving God.
With love and care,
Bob & Marilyn Benjamin
Carol and Steve Athearn says
Carol and Steve Athearn purchased the Teleflora’s Blue Caribbean Bouquet for the family of Juanita Turman.
Dale & Pat Flinders says
I am so very sorry to have read of your mothers passing.What a wonderful lady and I
feel so very lucky to have met her. You are in my thoughts and prayers….Pat Flinders
Joyce Armold says
Even though I did not know Juanita I would respectfully like to leave a mesage of comfort to the family.
“If a man die, shall he live again?” asked the man Job long ago. (Job 14:14, King James Version) Perhaps you, too, have wondered this.
How would you feel if you knew you could have a reunion with your loved ones right here on earth under the best of conditions?
Well, the Bible makes the promise: “Your dead ones will live…They will rise up.” And the Bible also says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29.
To have confidence in such promises we need to answer some basic questions: Why do people die? Where are the dead? And how can we be sure they can live again?
I would love to share these Bible gems with you at no obligation should you contact me.
Joyce Armold
laritaarmold@gmail.com
Susy Benjamin says
21 files added to the album New Album Name
Susy Benjamin says
Wallace and Juanita in front of their first home.
Judy Hixon says
I am sorry to hear of Juanita’s passing. She was such a sweet person and will be missed by all who knew her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
God’s Blessings,
Judy Hixon
Mary Ellen Schnur says
Dixie, Tim, Merle, and families, Your mother lived a wonderful example of Christian life. A person couldn’t help but know that Christ’s love shone through her. Old age is hard, and often not very graceful. She was blessed to have a loving family to share her declining years, and to bless in turn with her good cheer and wisdom. What a wonderful gift to see and know her grandchildren’s children!
As a side note, Tim, I always knew your parents and mine were older than most of our classmates’ parents. On reading your mom’s obituary, I’m struck that probably you and I had the only parents who had arrived in Montana on an “emigrant car” train. What a very interesting time in history they lived!
God bless all of you in this sad/joyful time of your mom’s completion of earthly life.
Mary Ellen Schnur