Sunrise – September 4, 1939
Sunset – February 6, 2016
Juereta Roberts Smith, 76, of Phoenix, AZ departed this life on Feb. 6, 2016. She was born in Little Rock, AR, the daughter of the late William L. Roberts and Margaret Gill Roberts Thomas. She is survived by one son, Malcolm (Mary), of Anthem, AZ, one grandson, Maxwell, one granddaughter, Ella, three brothers, Terrance Roberts (Rita) of Pasadena, CA, William E. Roberts of Pascagoula, MS. Jerome Robert’s of Long Beach, CA. Two sisters, Beverly Rhodes (Billy) of Little Rock, AR, Margaret “Lisa” Daniels of Carrollton, TX and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to family, Juereta will be missed, as well, by many dear and cherished friends.
A memorial/celebration service was held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 in Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following charities: The Salvation Army, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, or C.A.R.E International.
Juereta’s accomplishment were many, beginning with graduating as the valedictorian of the Horace Mann High School Class of 1957 in Little Rock, AR. She went on to earn a B.S. degree in nursing from Loma Linda University in California. She worked as a Public Health nurse in the Los Angeles area. Juereta received a Master’s Degree in nursing from U.C.L.A. and then taught nursing at the University of Hawaii.
After school, she was hired by the Western State Commission for Higher Education to head a project to improve curricula in the schools of nursing throughout the thirteen western states. After a few years in nursing, Juereta obtained a Law Degree from the University of Colorado, and became associated with the law firm of Holland and Hart in Denver, Colorado.
While in Colorado, she accepted an appointment to work with the Colorado Industrial Commission, and later an appointment as the Director of the Division of Labor in the Colorado State’s Department of Labor and Employment.
Juereta relocated to Texas, accepting the opportunity to serve on the national level as the Director of the Dallas Regional Office of the Federal Trade Commission. Later, returning to the private sector, she continued a career in the financial service industry serving as General Counsel to Lakewood Bank & Trust in Dallas, TX. Also, Juereta became a Certified Financial Planner in San Antonio, and took special pride in having headed the establishment of USAA’s Financial Planning Network, Inc.
She moved to Anthem, AZ, in 2001, and retired as USAA ERISA Counsel in 2003. Shortly after retirement, she became licensed by the Arizona Department of Real Estate, and joined Century 21 Desert Estates. She was accepted in to The MRE Society of the Arizona Association of Realtors.
Juereta enjoyed serving in her community. She was a founding member for both the Anthem Rotary Club and ProMusica Arizona Chorale. She became heavily involved with The Stitches of Love section of the Back to School Clothing and Supply program which serves underpriviedged school children throughout Phoenix. One year, Juereta was nominated and awarded the Volunteer of the year award for her service in the community
Her hobbies included reading, quilting, and spending much time with friends and family. She was admired for her intellect, big heart, inclusive nature, charitable soul, and the difference she made for so many. She will be greatly missed.
