Obituary of Juana Evelyn Mead

Juana Evelyn Mead, 64, of Clarkdale, Arizona, passed away of complications of breast cancer on May 12, 2016. Juana was born to James Nobles and Juana Green in San Francisco, on October 26, 1951. She was preceded in death by her parents; her step father Ed Green; her sister Jeanie Shelton; and her husband Dennis Mead (Nov 29, 2007). Her youth was spent living throughout Northern California, and Northern, AZ, including the Verde Valley where she returned in 1977 to raise her family. Juana worked as a nurse’s aid in Northern California, and shortly after moving back to Cottonwood in the late 70’s, she and her husband Dennis operated Arizona Discoveries in Jerome, AZ for 26 years, selling rocks, minerals, antiques, collectables, and hand crafted jewelry, primarily made by her. After selling the business in 2005, Juana continued to create jewelry, and worked as a rental agent for her step-father. She loved to garden and preferred to be gifted live plants instead of cut flowers, so she could have flowers each growing season. She also enjoyed growing her own fruits and vegetables to can and preserve, to make jams and jellies, even to make wines with. She took great pleasure in teaching her three children to garden, to cook and bake, to sew and crochet, and that with a little hard work, anything could be accomplished. She is survived by her two daughters Tammy Sproat of Cottonwood and Heather Newman of Clarkdale; her son Dennis Mead of Cottonwood; two brothers Jess and Jack Poland; her sister, Judy Petty; and many nieces and nephews . She was grandmother to 6 children, and great grandmother to 10 children. She had a unique sense of humor, a heart of gold, could coax a smile out of anyone, and sometimes a dance as well. She will be missed. Information provided by survivors.