White Sulphur Springs-Juanita Grace Sweeney Counts, 86, passed from her earthly home on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, after an extended illness.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph G. and Julia M. Sweeney of Gap Mills, whom she cared for before their deaths and by her husband, Paul Carroll Counts, in 1970.
She was left to raise her nine children and provide for them while working in the valet shop at The Greenbrier. In 1973, she moved to White Sulphur Springs and began her career as a waitress at The Greenbrier Hotel in the main dining room.
She had a gift for listening and she always had an open heart. She was hard working, determined, strong-willed and she tried to go the extra mile. She was always willing to give her children advice – whether they wanted to hear it or not. No matter what trouble they seemed to get into, in the end she loved and supported them through the good, the bad and sometimes, the ugly. She continued that love and support until her last breath. Many of the neighborhood children came through her doors during the years and they were always welcomed and treated as if they were hers. She retired after almost 20 years at the hotel and spent her retirement creating crafts, reading and going on occasional vacations with her son, Larry and his wife, Chris. She shared her home with her daughter Jenny – without whose help she would not have been able to stay in her home through her extended illness. She will be missed by her dog, Katie.
She is survived by: sons, Paul C. Counts, Jr., Bob (Sheila) Counts, Eddie (Kimberly) Counts and Larry (Chris) Counts; daughters, Barbara (Butch) Linton, Julia (Lloyd) Shaffer, Linda (Lee) Stewart, Jennifer Counts and Lisa (Kevin) Camp; grandchildren, Dianna (Roger) Burns, Steven Shiflett, Megan Wykle, Stacie Counts, Darin (Laura) Counts, David Williams, Ashley Shaffer, Leanne (William) James, Tracey Eggleston, Derrick Counts, Jeremy (Kayla) Counts, Kaitlyn Camp, Mackenzie Camp and Nathan Camp; and 11 great-grandchildren. Special friends of the family are Beverly White, Betry Garland and Buddy Vass who visited with her and were a great comfort to her after her retirement.
The family would especially like to thank the Peyton Hospice House for the medical care and support over the last several months and the last days of her life. Their help and support was instrumental in giving our mom a great quality of life. There is a special place in Heaven for the hospice staff. The family wishes to especially recognize the caregivers, Shelbie and Hope, who provided her daily care and assistance for many months. They were a blessing.
Abiding by her wishes, the body has been cremated and her remains will be scattered by the family at a later date. A celebration of her life will be held at Shanklin Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs on Saturday evening, Jan. 30, from 6 until 8 p.m. This will be an occasion for sharing memories and rejoicing, not sorrow or pain.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea, WV or to the Greenbrier County Humane Society.
