Margaret Juanita (Clark) Meaders

Margaret Juanita (Clark) Meaders, 89, of Laurel, Mississippi passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014 at South Central Regional Medical Center. She was born December 2, 1924 in Newton, MS. She graduated from Newton High School, attended Clark College in Newton, MS and graduated from Mississippi State University where she played the oboe in the band. She taught school in Philadelphia, MS and moved to Laurel in 1954 to begin a twenty six year career with the Laurel City Schools. She taught at Lamar, Mason and Nora Davis Elementary Schools. After joining First Baptist Church of Laurel in 1954 Juanita held several offices including Vacation Bible School Director, Foundation Director, Parade of Flags and Round Table. She was actively involved in the YWCA for many years holding many offices including President and Y Day Chairperson and Life Member of the Board of Directors. She also served as a docent at the Lauren Rogers Museum. In 1992 she won the Diana Award from Epsilon Sigma Alpha International for “Noble Achievement” and was also instrumental in forming the YWCA Laurel Little Theater Dinner Theater. She helped organize the Holiday Homes Tour and directed it for many years. As a longtime member of the Laurel Garden Club Council and the Laurel Iris Society she was involved in many beautification projects in the Laurel Area and was a Life Member of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi. She was also a graduate of the 2004 Senior Leadership Class of Jones County. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Lazelle Clark and Lency Alva (Weir) Clark, and husband Lonnie S. Meaders, Sr. She is survived by her sister Mae Helen Clark of Newton, MS., son, Lonnie S. Meaders, Jr. (Barbara) of Laurel, MS., grandchildren Vickie Buquois (Victor) of Laurel, MS, Lonnie S. Meaders, III of Jackson, MS., Michael Travis Meaders, Dallas, TX., and Sheila Dobbs of Laurel, MS. Great grandchildren; Kelsie and Joshua Hosey, Katie Buquois, Dylan Meaders and Sam Dobbs and special family friend, Jo Ann Lampley. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Memory Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Laurel with burial following in the Masonic Cemetery in Newton, MS. Dr. Randall W. Turner will officiate. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be Kermit Thames, Billy Taylor, Terry Caves, Dennis Kevryn, Steve Guy, Ed Carter and Lowell Howell.

Margaret Juanita (Clark) Meaders

December 2, 1924 - November 29, 2014