Juanita Varner

Juanita Lorina Lee Varner was born on the first day of spring, March 20, 1914 to John Henry Lee and Willie Bell Barnum Lee in Americus, GA. She was the second child and had an elder brother, Vance Barnum Dennis Lee, who preceded her in death, whom she loved dearly. At an early age, she and her brother moved to Moultrie, GA where she was raised by her father and stepmother, Ann Lee Jones. Her father introduced and insisted on piano lessons that she began at age eight. She joined the Williams Tabernacle CME Church in Moultrie, Ga. and attended every time the church doors opened, not only because she lived across the street from the church, but also because her Aunt Ethel Finney encouraged her by setting the example.
She attended and graduated from Moultrie Elementary School, the Paine Institute High School in Augusta, GA and earned a B.S. degree in Music and English Education from Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Her first teaching experience was in Manassas, Virginia, where she taught English and Music for one year. After that year, she moved back home to Moultrie, GA. The next year she began teaching at Douglass Elementary School here in Thomasville, GA. She taught second grade for several years, then moved to seventh grade where she taught English, Spelling, and Music. At this time, she met, fell in love, and married William James Varner. He was a mathematics teacher at Douglass High School who later became principal of the school. They married May 16, 1934 and in later years had two daughters, Wilnita Yvette and Sandra Jacquelyn. She also taught private music lessons at home and had many successful students, such as Hadley family, the late Francis Green Williams, Carolyn Anderson Henry and Patrick Lundy to name a few.
Her extended Music Education included Florida A&M University, the Fred Waring School of Music in Delaware, and Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She retired from teaching after 35 years.
She worked diligently at Saint Luke CME Church where she served on the Stewardess Board, Christian Board of Education, Missionary Society, and served as organist for several years at First Missionary Baptist and St Luke CME Church. She also served as the youth department musician on Wednesdays and on Sundays. During her early years at Saint Luke CME, she played the organ on the third Sunday and in her later years, for first Sunday Services as well. Mrs. Varner worked tirelessly rehearsing many local vocalists preparing for church Cantatas annually and weddings in the community that were enjoyed by many.
Mrs. Juanita Varner was the devoted wife of the late William James Varner; a loving mother to Wilnita Yvette Fortson and Sandra Jacquelyn Dunbar; grandmother and great grandmother who made many unselfish sacrifices for her family and friends. She taught us to respect ourselves as well as others. Above all, she taught us prayer and love that has blessed and kept our family through many toils and snares.
God blessed and kept her with abundant life for 107 years. Her grandchildren are Henry David (Alicia) Fortson, Dennis Gregory (Terri) Fortson (Atlanta, GA), William Christopher Fortson (Statesboro, GA), Winfield Oliver Varner and Maria Alesa Dunbar(Jeffery) (Atlanta, GA). She is blessed with several great grandchildren, Justin Davon Fortson, Montoya Hubbard, Sydney Joelle Fortson, Joshua David Fortson, Jenesis Marie Hardy, Terrell Dewayne Taylor, Brandon James Taylor and great great grandchild, Jayden Hubbard. She is also survived by a nephew, John King Lee (West Virginia), nieces, Lucille Hixon (Michigan), Rose Delaine (New Jersey), great nephew, George Varner (Florida), beloved cousins, Dr. William Anderson (Detroit, MI), Dorothy Jean Anderson Mills, (Atlanta, GA), Barbara Jelks (Moultrie, GA), Roselyn Lewis (Atlanta, GA), Rheubin Lewis (Savannah, GA), and many devoted extended family and friends.
She always enjoyed listening to the zoom church services and watching all forms of athletic sport games. For many years, she joined the family to travel to her brother's home in Florida and as late as 2018 to other locations. Other activities she enjoyed included, walking on the deck ramp, playing with her dog, washing dishes, picking greens, snapping beans, folding clothes and rearranging items in her room. In 2019, Mrs. Juanita Varner was given the distinct honor of serving as the first Grand Marshall for the Thomasville Black History Parade that she proudly enjoyed.
Mrs. Juanita Lorina Lee Varner departed this world to go home to be with the Lord, May 21, 2021, in perfect peace. She was a true champion during her life, a virtuous and blessed woman of God. He allowed her to lead us for over four generations and we say, "To God be the Glory" for blessing and keeping her down through the years.