Juanita Wilkins Meares

Juanita Wilkins Meares, 86, passed away on February 16, 2023 at Covenant Village in Gastonia.  She was born on November 1, 1936 in Robeson County, North Carolina, daughter of the late Rwood and Mildred Parnell Wilkins.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Mike Wilkins, and her devoted husband, Charles “Charlie” Alvin Meares. 

“G-ma of six” loved her family and especially her grandchildren.  She was also blessed to have seven great-grandchildren.  She is survived by her very special sister Faye Hovis and husband Leon Hovis of Dallas; daughters, Lisa Weiss and husband Richard Weiss of Belmont and Wanda Rauch and the late Marc Rauch of Gastonia; grandchildren Jessica Trahan, Chason Trahan and wife Catherine, Brad Trahan and wife Caroline, Zachary Love and wife Ajsela, Michael Love and wife Jess, and Meredith Love and fiancé Alvin Gawai; great grandchildren, Emery Love, Holland Trahan, Palmer Trahan, Emma Love, Shepherd Love, Lilly Trahan and Meadow Love; her brothers RW Wilkins and Jimmy Wilkins and his wife Darryl Wilkins of Lumberton and many nieces and nephews.  In addition, Juanita was a member of the “Fab5,” whose love and friendship meant the world to her, a bond of “sisters,” including Faye Hovis, Frances Boyd, Marie Abernathy and the late Linda Fincher.

Juanita was an active member of Rankin Lake Baptist Church.  She served as the first woman deacon and was involved with mission trips in the US, Guadeloupe, Brazil, Romania and Honduras.  She served as president of the Christian Women’s Job Corp and Women’s Mission Union for Gaston County. 

She spent her career working in the health care system in the Gastonia area, having worked for Dr. Gene and Sid Woody managing their dental practice beginning in 1964, and upon their retirement, for Dr. Artie Cooper until she retired in 2015.

Her family thanks the staff in Healthcare at Covenant Village and Angela Helton of Gaston Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20 at Rankin Lake Baptist Church in Dallas, N.C., officiated by Pastor Jim Loftis.

 The family will receive friends after the service. 

 Memorials may be made to Rankin Lake Baptist Church/Lottie Moon Offering, 2705 Gastonia Dallas Hwy, Dallas, N.C. 28034.

 Interment will be private.

Condolences may be made online at www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia 704-864-5144 is serving the family.