Juanita B. O'Briant

Bernice Juanita Beasley O'Briant born, May 20, 1923 passed July 18, 2020 at the age of 97. Juanita was the daughter of James Polk and Mary Elizabeth Cole Beasley and the stepdaughter of Ada Mae Wilson. She was married to the late Landis O'Briant and had two children, Jimmy O'Briant and Leah O'Briant Thorndyke. She is survived by her daughter Leah Thorndyke and spouse Ed Thorndyke of Myrtle Beach SC, and her granddaughters Sherry O'Briant of Selma NC, Elizabeth Pierce of Raleigh NC, and grandson Jonathan Thorndyke of Omaha, Nebraska and four great grandchildren.

Juanita trained in cosmetology and had her own beauty shop on Louisburg Hwy in Raleigh for well over twenty years. She was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Raleigh where she was active in the choir and her mission group. She loved to cook and often made pound cakes for friends that were sick.

She lived in Raleigh for over 50 years. Her later years were spent close to her daughter in Myrtle Beach, SC.

She was a native of Oxford NC where her fondest memories were. Juanita was one of eight daughters and one son and three stepbrothers. She was the sole survivor.

Graveside services will be held at Meadowview Memorial Park in Oxford NC on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm. The family requests that all attendees wear appropriate face coverings in addition to the safe practices of social distancing.

Friends may prefer to view the service remotely by visiting: https://livestream.com/accounts/29266864/events/9222651. The link will become active at the time of the service.

Click here to view the livestream service.

The family suggests donations to either New Hope Baptist Church Raleigh NC or to Alzheimer's Research.

Services are entrusted to the Gentry-Newell & Vaughn Funeral Home in Oxford NC.

Online memorials: www.GNVFuneralHome.com.