Juanita Irene (Wilson) Bales

Juanita Irene (Wilson) Bales, 77, Houston, Texas formerly of Bronaugh, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at her residence in Houston, Texas. She was born Feb. 19, 1931, in Bolivar, Mo., to Elza Wilson and Sarah Allie Williams Wilson. She was married May 5, 1951, in Nevada, to Billy Mac Bales and he preceded her in death Jan. 2, 2008.

Juanita graduated from Morrisville High School in 1949. She took her fist job with the Ozark Production Credit Association in Nevada. After her marriage, the family moved to Bronaugh, Mo., in 1953 and lived there until 1997. Juanita took a position as secretary for the Bronaugh R-7 public schools. Following her tenure there, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Renwick Insurance Agency in Nevada until she retired in 1984. She and Bill ran a successful antique dealership, Olde Timey Things. They were passionate travelers and visited all states in the United States except Hawaii on their journeys together. Juanita was an active member of the Eastern Star, and was installed as a Worthy Grand Matron. She served frequently in the capacity of Committeewoman of the Democratic Party in city and county elections. Juanita was a highly-skilled quilter and was a member of the Bushwhacker Quilt Guild. She worked for several years as co-manager of the gift shop at the Nevada Regional Medical Center, and was committed to service through the Auxiliary Club for that same organization.

Survivors include two sons, Ken Bales, Omaha, Neb., and Kevin Bales and his wife Julie, Houston, Texas; two granddaughters, Hilary Bales-Morales and her husband Joseph, Dallas, Texas, and Audrey Bales, Seattle, Wash.; two great-grandchildren; one sister Stella S. Wakefield. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Beulah Pearl.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Bill Platt officiating. Interment will follow in Worsley Cemetery, Bronaugh, Mo.

Friends may call after noon on Thursday and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening between 7 and 8 p.m.

Charitable contributions in her name may be made to the Nevada Regional Medical Center Auxiliary in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.