Juanita Kalani Smith

Juanita Kalani was born on May 24, 1941 in Astoria Oregon to William and Hazel Reed. She and her many siblings grew up and attended school in Warrenton Oregon with the exception of one year of High School in Hawaii staying with her grandmother. Juanita married Harry Chenoweth, her first husband, with whom she had one child. After divorcing she later met the love of her life, Alfred G. Smith and they were married December 28, 1962. She and Alfred had two children together and he preceded her in death in 2015.
Juanita worked in several capacities in her lifetime. As a waitress, store clerk, bank teller, bookkeeper and finally in Resident Services/Night Shift at Dallas Retirement Village where she was employed for the last 23 years. Nita retired in the summer of 2021, at 80, due to a minor heart condition and intended to return after her condition was resolved. She was well known for her vivacious, bubbly personality, for always going above and beyond in anything she did in life and for being a tireless "energizer bunny". She loved gardening, jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, knitting, reading and old movies.
She is survived by her children Denise Beach and her spouse Mike Beach of Dallas OR, her son Rocky Smith of Independence OR and her daughter Bobbie Jo Benefiel and her spouse Fred Benefiel, her younger siblings Chuck Kobrzycki, Michelle Thomas & Maria Brim all of Oregon. Nita had 3 grandchildren, Misty, Carrie & Michael, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Jaunita's "Celebration of Life" service takes place Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center located at 287 SW Washington St., in Dallas Oregon. We hope all will join us to celebrate her. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice, 1046 SW 6th, Albany Oregon, 97321. Farnstrom Mortuary is caring for the family.