Juanita Wharton was born November 12, 1914 in Albany, MO to John Earl Kurtright and Lee Ona Gillespie Kurtright. She passed away June 20, 2010 at Northwest Medical Center in Albany at the age of 95. Juanita spent her early years in the Sandsville neighborhood south of Albany, attended school there, and began her teaching career at the Sandsville rural school. Juanita was united in marriage to Charles Clifford Wharton on August 3, 1935 and to this union four children were born: Barbara Rainey (Ben), Albany, MO, James Wharton, (Sharon McCall), Avoca, Iowa, Richard Wharton (Debbie), Merced, CA, and Connie Mahoney (John), Orangevale, CA. Juanita was widowed at the early age of 37 years and with four children to rear, went back to school at Northwest State University to complete her teaching degree, began teaching again with the encouragement of her former teacher, Virginia E. George, and pastor, George E. Manning, at Albany's R-III Elementary School. After a few years, she moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where she completed her teaching career, serving as elementary teacher, Physical Education Teacher, and Elementary Counselor. In 1993, Juanita returned back to her hometown of Albany, MO to be near family and live out her remaining days. Juanita is survived by her four children, their spouses, 10 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 1 foster great-grandchild, and 3 great-great-granddaughters. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and extended family. Preceding her in death were her parents, Earl and Lee Ona Kurtright, her husband, Clifford, two sisters: Ogarita Kurtright Younger and Earline Kurtright, a grandson, Randy Rainey, and a great grandson, Jared Rainey. Through the years Juanita developed many friends and acquaintances, both in Missouri and Iowa, and will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her.