Sarah Juanita Daniel Marsh, 86, of College Park, Ga. died Saturday Feb. 9, 2013 peacefully at Piedmont Hospital surrounded by her children and many of her grandchildren.
She died of complications following a hip fracture and surgery. Juanita was the daughter of E.R. “Bud” and Jessie Stratton Daniel and wife of George Elliott Marsh, Sr.
Juanita was born Dec. 4, 1926 and raised in Elberton, Ga. in a loving family. She graduated first in her class at Centerville High School and attended the University of Georgia on scholarship, where she graduated in 1946 with a degree in Home Economics. She loved her time at the University and told stories of working at the dining hall, the bookstore, and the dorm for room, board, and books. She also studied at Teachers College, Columbia University.
After graduation, she went to Statesboro, Ga. to work as a home demonstration agent. There she met and later married George Elliott Marsh Sr. in Dec.1947. They moved to Atlanta where George worked for HM Patterson for many years. Juanita attended law school at night, and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1951. She taught elementary school in Atlanta and Fulton County for many years and had four children. In 1971 she was selected Judge of the City Court of College Park, Ga. She was always very proud of being one of the first women judges in the state of GA. As judge of College Park, she was very active in her profession, helping to write the early handbook for Municipal Court judges and serving on the Judicial Council of Georgia. She was named Ms. South Fulton, and recognized with many awards and commendations throughout her life.
While serving as judge she saw first-hand the problems of substance abuse. As a result, in the early 1970s she began to look for treatment options for people with substance abuse and mental health issues. After facing many challenges with her youngest son Blake, and convinced of the need for better care for those afflicted with substance addiction, Juanita founded Anchor Hospital of College Park in 1986. She never stopped working to help individuals and their families dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. Juanita never met a stranger and thoroughly enjoyed being with others. She helped countless numbers of people from all walks of life and tried to make a positive difference. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is predeceased by her husband and her son Blake. She is survived by her daughter Sherry Boynton and her husband Ridge of Fayetteville, son George Elliott Marsh, Jr. and his wife Susan of Fayetteville, and son Charles Bradford Marsh and his wife Betty of Atlanta. Her great joys were her grandchildren, Christopher Marsh and his wife Daryn of Athens, Ashley Marsh Tyndal and her husband Chris of Atlanta, Andrew Marsh of Fayetteville, Kimberlie Marsh of Atlanta, Brittan Boynton of Fayetteville, Charlie Boynton of Fayetteville, Stratton Marsh of Atlanta, Sarah Marsh of Atlanta, and one great-granddaughter, McClendon Tyndal of Atlanta. She is also survived by two siblings in Elberton, Marshall “Buddy” Daniel and his wife Menona, and sister Peggy Bryant and her husband Leon.
During the last years of her life she was lovingly cared for by Linda, Sal, and her longtime dear friend Tress Knight.
The family will receive visitors Tuesday evening from 6-8 at Mowell Funeral Home in Peachtree City. In addition, Juanita will lie in state one hour before the funeral service at Southwest Christian Church on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Southwest Christian Hospice, 7225 Lester Road, Union City, GA, 30291 or Southwest Christian Church, 4330 Washington Road, East Point, GA, 30344.
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Peachtree City – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
