Juanita Cheryl Major's Obituary
Juanita Cheryl Major-Snead entered her eternal rest on November 26, 2022, while celebrating the Thanksgiving holidays surrounded by her loved ones and her beloved dog Bear.
Juanita was born on February 26, 1946, the oldest of two from the union of Evelyn and Harold Major in Brooklyn New York. The first part of her life would take a drastic turn when her mother unexpectedly died in 1949. Juanita and her sister Valerie were sent to live with their maternal grandmother Lummie Hill in Mount Olive, North Carolina until her death in the late 50’s. The children were brought back to New York and raised by two different families. Mildred Holmes adopted Juanita. She maintained a close contact with her younger sister and her father.
In her late teens, Juanita ventured out on her own. She would become a blood analyst for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Hospital and maintaining a modeling career on the side. While retaining both roles, she also managed to graduate from Hunter College. Juanita became a lab tech in the MSKCC Blood Bank. Becoming a scientist fueled her and she would dedicate 31 years of her life to her field. She would go on to travel the world visiting countries in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. After achieving most of her goals, she decided to purchase her first home.
Juanita was an important part of the village that raised her family’s children, and she mothered many who would affectionately call her Aunt Nita, Mom, Wahoo, Momma Snead and Grandma. She was admired by all who knew her for the indelible mark she left on the children and adults she welcomed into her extended family. In the community she committed her life to helping others. She had an epitome of leaving people better than she found them. She was a true pillar, especially in the East Ocean View community.
Juanita was a member of the East Ocean View Civic League, treasurer for the East Ocean View Advisory Committee and a community advocate. She was awarded the community impact award for her time, contributions and strong impact on the community. She also contributed food baskets and various items to both kids and their families throughout the holiday seasons. During Covid 19 she and Dana Andrews (Recreation Supervisor) and other community members provided a driving and handing out food program.
Years later Juanita would meet her soul mate Lenwood Snead. Moving into the second phase of her extraordinary life, she and Lenwood would marry, purchase a home in Norfolk, Virginia and retire there. Not one to rest on her laurels, she and her husband would become a staple of the community, become
Master Gardeners together in 2004 and shift into their teaching phase. They would join the East Ocean
View (Recreation) Community Center and initially established the East Ocean View Children’s Garden in
2003, where they would teach children how to grow their own food. This garden later became a Master Gardener project recognized by the City of Norfolk in 2005 with a proclamation. The City of Norfolk recognized the work of both Juanita and Lenwood with a dedication ceremony placing two marble plaques near the EOV children’s Garden. Juanita’s was noted as “a Model and Mentor to the youth of East Ocean View.”
For the Children she supported activities at the center which included fishing trips, summer camp, basketball games (Police vs Kids) and was instrumental in the building of the East Ocean View Fishing pier.
Her circle would grow to include politicians and officials whom Juanita would persuade ever so gently with her Southern charm and New York tenacity into helping and donating to her beloved center.
Lenwood would eventually pass away but Juanita didn’t let that tremendous loss slow her down. She continued her work with the center and her church until the time of her passing.
Juanita was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, where she was a Martha’s and a Vestry member. She served as an Acolyte, Lay reader and on the Alter guild. She also served on the worship committee and helped organize and participate in numerous fund raisers such as bazaars and yard sales, also assisted with the church garden.
We gather now as Juanita makes her third and final transition into the arms of God. She was a woman of utter faith and devotion. We know she loved the Lord. It is with him she now rests.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her nephews Albert Major and Tyrick Smith, her grandnephew and grandniece DeSean Major and Jakeeva Major, their respective families, her foster sister Diane Seale-Redman and her family, her god-children Felicia Steele,
Daran Steele, Channelle Bannister, their respective families, her stepsons Larry Snead, William Snead, Martin Snead, her daughter in-law April Snead, their respective families and a host of nephews, nieces, grandchildren and adopted family.
A memorial service will be held January 21, 2023 1:00 pm. in the Episcopal Church of the Advent
9629 Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent, East Ocean View Children's Garden, Norfolk SPCA, and Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center.
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