Juanita Marion Smoak

Juanita Marion Blasius Smoak, 78, of Meggett, SC, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. 

Nita was born on December 15, 1944, in Charleston, SC, to the late Juanita Hutson Blasius and Carl Gus Blasius. Nita was a graduate of St. Paul’s High School in 1963 .   

Nita’s passion, as many know, was people.  She was compassionate and kind and never met a stranger.  She enjoyed many occupations over the years including cosmetologist, teacher, and nurse; all careers that enabled her to spend time talking with and helping others.

Nita was an avid cook and showed her love through food.  Her door was always open, the crab pot in the water, and her kitchen in service.  Her most cherished times were those spent with family and friends around the table eating and talking.  Over the years, many Citadel cadets accompanied her grandsons on the weekends, enjoyed a brief respite from campus, and found a place in her heart.

Besides her parents, Juanita is preceded in death by her sisters, Barbara B. Lyons and Camille Sugarman.

Survivors include her loving husband of fifty-eight years, Jerry Smoak; sons, Todd Smoak (Kathy) and Travis Smoak (Angela), and her four greatest sources of love and pride, her grandchildren: Ashton Smoak, Mary Kathryn Smoak, Mackenzie Smoak, and Bennett Smoak.  She is also survived by her niece, Missy Lyons Wimberly Jumper (Pauley) and nephew, Carlton Lyons (Becky).  Finally, she is survived by many friends. 

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Christ-St. Paul's Church Cemetery in Yonges Island, South Carolina. 

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to make a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Charleston Animal Society.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.