Juanita Elizabeth Martin Wardlaw

Juanita Elizabeth Martin Wardlaw was born December 12, 1925, to Willis and Jessie Martin in Cherokee County, Texas. She was the big sister to brother, Douglas, and sister, Mary Ellen. She entered Heaven at her home while under the loving care of Patricia Arroyo, Kathey Burns, Katie Jones, Teresa Neal, and Sherry Bircher. In addition, Juanita was blessed to be under the care of Choice Home Health, Hospice of East Texas, and doctors Doug Coltman and Charles Rhodus. She graduated from Troup High School in 1942 and moved to Tyler to attend Tyler Commercial College where she studied secretarial science. One of her first jobs was working for Judge Hughes in the original Smith County Courthouse. She married her high school sweetheart, Sidney Ray Stuart, in 1943. Jobs took the family to Orange, TX where Juanita eventually went to work for Firestone Tire and Rubber. In 1964 she married Dudley Wardlaw. Transfers within Firestone took them to Pottstown, PA, Akron, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Milwaukee, WI, Cincinnati, OH, and Dallas, TX. She and Dudley settled in Tyler after retirement where they pursued their special interests - golf and shopping. Juanita experienced many interesting things over the years, including riding around the Indianapolis 500 track with Dudley driving, touring the East Coast in the 1960s and 70s, and antique shopping while living in Pennsylvania. She loved life and gave it her all. She was involved in Bible Study Fellowship, Republican Womens’ Club, Salvation Army fundraising efforts, modeling at Holt House, Red Hat Society, and Mah Jong group. In addition, she worked tirelessly to achieve state recognition for the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Even when she was hundreds of miles from her loved ones, she never hesitated traveling to offer love and comfort to Carol and all her family when they needed her. She was the best mother a daughter could ever hope to have. She and Carol were best friends to the end. She fiercely loved her grandkids and great-grandkids and took every opportunity to support and encourage them in their endeavors. Juanita was a people person in the highest order and never met a stranger. She had many friends and wonderful neighbors who treated her like family. Out of the many, Mark and Christy Oates and Marsha Daughtrey and her golden retriever Winston always brought a smile to Juanita’s face. Juanita was a lifelong Presbyterian and member of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler where she and Dudley were active members until health issues prevented attendance. She will be remembered by all who knew her well as a person who was not afraid to stand up for what she believed was right. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Jesse Martin, husband, Dudley Wardlaw, siblings, Douglas Martin and Mary Ellen Ross, and grandson, Steven Dillard. Juanita is survived by daughters, Carol Stuart Dillard and husband Clifton, Shari Wardlaw Quillin and husband Delton; and son, Rick Wardlaw and wife Kathy; her grandchildren, Cathy Dillard Lilly and husband Ted, and Bill Wardlaw and wife Brittney; her great-grandchildren, Sarah Lilly and husband Joe Bakker, Jordan Dillard and wife Kylie, Adam Lilly and wife Morgan Hunt, Chloe Dillard, Kaidyn Wardlaw, and Keegan Wardlaw; her nieces and nephews, Linda Ross Culpepper and husband Sammy, Liz Ross Gibson and husband Glen, Danny Martin, and Randy Martin. A service celebrating her life will be held at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 3pm with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Mausoleum in Tyler next to her late husband, Dudley. Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Pallbearers include Ted Lilly, Jordan Dillard, Joe Bakker, and Adam Lilly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her favorite charities Southwestern Diabetic Foundation and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Juanita Elizabeth Martin Wardlaw

December 12, 1925 - October 20, 2023