Juanita W. Jones

Juanita W. Jones, 97, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Matthew Jones, entered into eternal rest Saturday, July 29, 2023, one week before her 98th birthday. Her funeral service will be held Friday, August 4th, 2023, at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at Bethany Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends Thursday, August 3rd, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel. 

Nita was born August 6, 1925, in Meridian, Mississippi, daughter of Arden C. Worthington and Pearl King Worthington. She grew up on a farm in Centre Alabama and moved to Charleston in 1945. She met and married Frank W. Petit, Jr., and was blessed with Francis “Buddy” W. Petit, III and Judith Kate Petit. After Franks passing in 1961, she found love again in 1963 with Donald Houghtaling. After Donald’s passing, Nita enjoyed a happy marriage with Jack Wyman. When Jack passed, Nita was blessed again with love with Matthew Jones. She was loved and adored by all. 

Nita was the manager of the supply department at the Charleston Naval Shipyard as well as working in the ladies department at Sears and Roebuck where she modeled ladies clothing. She was a lifetime member of the Charleston Rifle Club ladies auxiliary. She was an avid bowler at the Charleston Rifle Club into her 70’s and maintained an average in the 170’s. She was a member of the Elks Club where she met her late husband Matt. 

She is mourned by her surviving son, Buddy, his girlfriend Connie, his stepbrother, Donald Houghtaling, and Nita’s stepdaughter Loraine. Nita is also survived by Matt’s daughter Darla Wier and her children; William (Bradley) and Lindsey (Charles); two granddaughters, Sarah Nobles (Billy) and Dana McLain (Tony) and her great-granddaughter, Jennifer Timmons. 

She is predeceased by her daughter Kaye, granddaughters Shannon Morris and Jennifer Petit, and great-grandson, Nickolas Francis Timmons. 

Memorials may be made to Charleston Ovarian Cancer Fund MUSC (www.giving.musc.edu) or Pet Helpers (www.pethelpers.org/donate).

She was a sporty lady and loved by everyone. We would like to share a poem about her:

“The Smile on Nita’s Face”
On the seventh day He didn’t rest as most all thought the case
There’s one more thing that He must do,
The smile on Nita’s face
One day the sky, one day the earth, the next human race.
But the seventh day He did His best,
The smile on Nita’s face.
He spoke to me of wondrous things with words I can’t erase,
You’ll know your mate through many lives,
By the smile upon her face.
To keep it lit you must show love, kindness, respect, and a warm embrace.
If you do this, then you may share, 
The smile on Nita’s face.
He’s given you a heart so pure and carefree haughty grace.
But He’s given me the best of all,
The smile on Nita’s face.
I’ve promised Him and I promise you till my final resting place,
I’ll do my all just to keep the smile on Nita’s face.