Juanita Gwaltney Leary, 90, a native of Hampton, died on January 3, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Theora Isabelle Smith Gwaltney and Daniel Webster (Webb) Gwaltney.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Arthur R. Leary; her children, Daniel A. Leary (Anne), Linda G. Doyle (Warren), and Martha Leary Sotelo (Tom); her sister, Diane With; her grandchildren, Matthew S. Leary (Jen), Cristin A. Beach (Matt), Kathryn D. Leary, Rebecca L. Chadwick (Daniel), Sarah I. Sotelo and Anna L. Sotelo; her nephew, David L. With (Sarah); three great-grandchildren and a great-niece and great-nephew.

She was a member of Liberty Live (Liberty Baptist) Church for over 50 years and she served in many ways. She especially loved working with the young children and babies in the nursery. Later after her children were grown and she was retired, she volunteered with the Nursing Home and Home Bound Ministry and the Teller Committee. She made many friends at church doing her volunteer work and they were all very special to her. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1950 and enjoyed serving on all the reunion committees, especially the 60th Class Reunion.

When her children were in school, she was active in the P.T.A. and held many offices. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Richard E. Jones, CPA and at Martin, Thomas and Walker Optical Co. She was a wonderful cook and will always be remembered for her hot rolls and pecan sandies. Above all, she loved her family and being a wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 1:30 PM in the Chapel of Liberty Live Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, Virginia, 23666. Visitation with family and friends will precede the funeral at 12:30 PM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Liberty Live Church or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.