Juanita New

Juanita Stolz New, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2021.  Born and raised on Park Hill in North Little Rock by parents Viola and A.J. Stolz, she was 98 years old.

Juanita was passionate about her family and friends, volunteering, and church. She enjoyed travel, entertaining, bridge, gardening, music, art, and exercise.  She was described by friends as extroverted and always “on the go,” warm and upbeat, and having a good sense of humor.

In early life Juanita was a loving daughter who enjoyed success in her school and other activities.  She attended North Little Rock High School - which she described as “a pleasant walk down through the woods of Park Hill” - and excelled in academics and student leadership.  She earned straight A’s and led in many student organizations including President of the National Honor Society and the Debate Club.  After high school she graduated from Little Rock Junior College (now UALR) where her accomplishments again included straight A’s and leadership in various student organizations.

Following graduation, Juanita’s long-time piano teacher encouraged her to apply to the Juilliard School of Music, an idea she rejected in favor of “getting to work,” which she did first as secretary to the personnel director at Maumelle Ordinance Plant and then as an airline stewardess based out of Memphis.  On a flight she met Russell Aubrey New, an Air Force pilot and her husband to be.  During more than forty year of marriage (Russ passed away in 2001) they and their two sons lived in a dozen cities including London and Taipei.

Juanita focused her time and energy on her family and voluntarism, which she saw, as did many women at the time, as the most legitimate way to make her mark on the world.  A favorite quote was “The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it but what they become by it.”  She “felt blessed to meet so many wonderful people though volunteer activities.”  She immersed herself in volunteer, charity, and church activities including as President of the Air Force Officers Wives Club on several bases, Chairman for the Office of Volunteers American Red Cross, Red Cross Gray Lady Chairman, and President of Protestant Women of the Chapel. She was the last surviving founding member of Park Hill Presbyterian Church.

As husband Russ was concluding his military career with two tours flying in Vietnam, Juanita returned to Little Rock which she declared “her home till the end - this is where I grew up and where my friends are and my allegiance remains.”  She and Russ had a second home on Lake Catherine in Hot Springs, a setting that provided great memories to their children and grandchildren and other family and friends.

Juanita continued volunteering over the next thirty-plus years.  Her work included the Junior League of North Little Rock (Chairwoman of Sustaining Members), Salvation Army Auxiliary (President), Park Hill Presbyterian Church (Governing Board), National Kidney Foundation of Arkansas (Board), American Lung Association (Board), Arkansas Diabetes Association (Board), Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Central Arkansas (President), Little Rock Departmental Club (President), Greater Little Rock Community Concert Association (Board, Concert Chairwoman), Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild (head of ushers), Revoir Book Review Club (President), and Fine Arts Club (President).  She received President Bush’s Volunteer Action Award in 1991.

Dealing with various health issues including Alzheimer’s in her last few years, she continued her ambition to stay energetic and show good-will and humor toward those with whom she interacted.  As she said, “I find myself in quite a pickle, but I’ve lived a fortunate life and will try to continue making the most of each and every available day.”  She was fortunate during these years to have many wonderful caregivers at CHI St. Vincent’s, Arkansas Hospice, and several facilities including most recently Colonel Glenn Health & Rehab.

Juanita is survived in death by her son and daughter-in-law John Randolph and Nancy A. New of Richmond, Virginia, daughter-in-law Susan New of Portland, Oregon; grandsons Jeremy Randolph New and his wife Erika Parker New of Tampa, Florida, and Zachary David New of Seattle, Washington; and twin great-grandsons William Russell New and Alexander Parker New of Tampa, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lester, and most unfortunately youngest son Richard David New.

If interested in honoring her life, in lieu of flowers please send a donation to any of the aforementioned philanthropic organizations or the Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association .

A graveside memorial service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock on Thursday, January 14, at 11 AM.

State of AR COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required.  Maintain social distancing.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home , 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.