Juanita Laurene Duncan (Crider)

Juanita Laurene Duncan (Crider), 96 formerly of Bettendorf, IA passed away July 21, 2013 in Little Rock, Ark. Juanita was born March 17, 1917 to Jacob and Alta Rushing Crider in Webb City, Mo. She met her future husband, Charles Laverne Duncan, in Macomb, lll. at a dance. They were married November 30, 1935. They were married almost 70 years until his death in 2005. It was a great shock to Juanita when Charlie came home one day in 1944 and announced he and a friend had signed up to join the service. She talked about the fact that he did it without discussing it with her first for the rest of her life! Juanita quickly found employment at the Rock Island Arsenal. After much deliberation regarding the welfare of her daughter Sharon, Juanita accepted a pay increase to work on one of the more dangerous areas of the Arsenal proof firing weapons for the soldiers serving overseas. When the war ended Juanita continued to work having embraced the independence she gained by having her own money. She was employed by Evan's Dry Cleaners for many years. Juanita adored her beloved only child Sharon. Sharon loved to travel and took her parents on many trips including Mexico, Hawaii and Las Vegas. A favorite trip was taken to Las Vegas in 1977 for Juanita's 60th birthday. A highlight of the trip was securing seats for the Mike Douglas show every morning. Juanita was known as Gammy to her 3 granddaughters. She was a wonderful cook. Family favorites were her fried chicken, green beans and sausage, biscuits and gravy. Holiday meals were always special and her granddaughters only like dressing fixed her way with a lot of sage!! Juanita's real specialty was sweets. Divinity, all kinds of cookies and peanut butter fudge which her granddaughters called Gammy candy were highly anticipated by friends and neighbors at Christmas time. Her grandchildren begged to help her prepare divinity but were never able to master the patience and strength it took to make the candy properly. Juanita and Charlie lived on Magnolia Court in Bettendorf for over 40 years. They developed and maintained many deep and special friendships with their neighbors on that street. Juanita mostly loved socializing with her Birthday Club. Juanita's St. Patrick's Day birthday was always a reason for a little extra celebration. Juanita loved music and her party was frequently at venues with a live band. Juanita's friends from the neighborhood and Birthday club provided a strong support during the illness and death of Juanita's daughter, Sharon and after the death of her husband, Charlie. In her later years Juanita loved to go out to eat. Breakfast was her favorite meal. She and Charlie loved to meet friends at the Village Inn in Bettendorf and preferred to only be waited on by Nancy. During these long and happy meals she regaled her friends and family with funny stories, the sound of her laughter heard throughout the restaurant. Juanita is survived by granddaughters, Susan Sell Garrett and husband, Steve of Little Rock; Sheila Sell of Houston,Texzas; Mary Morse and husband, Bill of Houston, Texas; great-granddaughter, Olivia Garrett of Little Rock; sister, Lollita Biller of West Chicago, Ill.; brother, Kenneth Crider and wife, Ruby of Mansfield, Texas; special niece, Janet Donaldson and husband, David of West Chicago; and many other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, Charles Duncan, daughter, Sharon Sell and former husband, Marty Sell, and brother, M. Degarth "De" Crider. Juanita's ashes will be interred at a later date with those of her husband Charlie in the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill. A private service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.