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Juanita B. Miller- Smeltzer "Nita" passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010. Nita is survived by daughters, Joy Wade, Cathie Owen, and Patricia Pittman (Jerry); seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; six step-children, Loyal Smeltzer Jr. (Louise), Sharon Hartman, Joyce Main (Carl), Gloria Saltzman (Karl), Rosetta Smeltzer and Stephen Smeltzer; eleven step-grandchildren and fourteen step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by daughter Mary Coffey, and grandson Billy Crawford. Nita was born and raised in Atlanta, Missouri and moved to New Mexico during WWII. She married Bill Miller in Albuquerque in 1946. They joined Temple Baptist Church in 1954, where she served as nursery superintendent and Sunday School teacher for many years. Their love of children lead them to raise four children and care for approximately 30 foster children. In 1965 Nita and Bill moved to Crystal, NM to serve as full time Baptist Missionaries to the Navajo Nation. The Lord called Bill Miller home in 1982. In 1990 Nita married Loyal K. Smeltzer Sr., and was widowed in 2003 when Loyal was called home as well. Family asks that donations be made to Presbyterian Hospice, Attn: Executive Director, P. O. Box 26666, Albuquerque, NM 87125-6666. Pallbearers include, Stephen Smeltzer, Chip Schane, Derren Owen, Ricky Wade, Roy Wade, and Bill Redmon. Honorary pallbearers include Jerry Pittman, Kenny Williams, Carl Main, Timothy Saltzman, Loren Burch, and Loyal Smeltzer Jr. Family and friends may visit on Monday, January 18, 2010, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at French - University Chapel. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 10:00 a.m., at Temple Baptist Church, 1613 Arizona Street NE, Albuquerque, NM with Dr. Fred Gurule officiating. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Please visit our online guest book for Juanita at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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