Mrs. Juanita Lewis Raleigh, daughter of the late Mr. Marcus E. Lewis, Sr. and Mrs. Flora Crawford Lewis, was born on January 3, 1943 in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. She departed this life on March 1, 2026 at Wesley Long Hospital, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Juanita attended elementary school in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina and completed her high school education at Peabody High School in Troy, North Carolina. Juanita loved the Lord and avowed her religious faith at an early age. She joined St. Luke First United Church of God in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina, where she became the church musician, member of Sunday School and Youth Choir.

Upon graduating from high school, Juanita attended North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina where she met the love of her life, Jerry Raleigh. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree and was employed by the university as a secretary for the Army ROTC Department and Computer Science Department. After graduation, on July 31, 1966, Juanita happily married Jerry Raleigh, and from that moment, they were inseparable. She said, "Thank you God for my Amazing Husband!"

While still employed by the university, Juanita furthered her education and earned a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. Upon receiving her degree, she was employed by Greensboro City Schools as a Senior High School Guidance Counselor at James B. Dudley High School, where she served with distinction for 27 years. Juanita's passion and dedication to education was evident through the many lives she touched. In 2000, she was honored by the school's yearbook committee as Dudley High School's Teacher of the Year.

Shortly after their marriage, she and her husband joined St. James Baptist Church, Greensboro, North Carolina where she served as a Deaconess, member of the Scholarship Committee, Women's Sunday School class, and Will Green Gospel Choir. In 1991, Deacon Jerry Raleigh accepted God's call into the ministry and the J.W. Raleigh Family Choir was formed. Deaconess Juanita was the choir's musician and accompanied Reverend Raleigh on all of his preaching engagements. The choir also sang God's praises at the Greensboro Coliseum and at several choir anniversary celebrations. Deaconess Juanita served in this capacity until her husband became the proud Pastor of Maple Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Burlington, North Carolina. Under his leadership, she faithfully served as the church's Leading Lady, Minister of Music, Co-Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, and was a devoted member of the Bible Study Class. She especially enjoyed working with the choirs and providing music that glorified God.

Leading Lady Juanita was thankful to God for the many blessings that He allowed her to have. She often spoke about how blessed she was to have an amazing, loving husband who did all that he could to prolong her life. Leading Lady Juanita loved the yearly cruises with her husband, son and friends, shopping for designer handbags and shoes, making potato salad for her family's Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but most of all she loved Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior, and fellowshipping with the saints of God. Unable to attend church, during her latter years of life, she enjoyed listening to gospel songs and live streaming three to four sermons every Sunday morning. Although living with cancer for almost 40 years, she did not complain. She had a joyful smile, loved humanity, and only saw the best in people.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mrs. Flora Crawford Lewis and her father Mr. Marcus E. Lewis, Jr. Leading Lady Juanita leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Reverend Jerry W. Raleigh, Sr. of the home; daughter Ms. Bertina Bennett, and son Mr. Jerry W. Raleigh, Jr. (Kelli), both of Greensboro, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Mr. Christopher Jones of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Miss Brittany Jones of Austin, Texas; brother, Dr. Marcus E. Lewis, Southfield, Michigan; Brother-in-law Mr. Howard Raleigh (Louise) of Greensboro, North Carolina; Sister-in-law Annette Freeman (Wesley) of Greensboro, North Carolina; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to all the staff and caregivers of Wesley Long Cancer Center and LeBauer Gastroenterology of Greensboro for their wonderful care and support.

Funeral service will be held Friday, March 13, 2026 12p.m. St. James Baptist Church 536 West Florida Street Greensboro, North Carolina. Visitation 11:15a.m.

Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery 3600 North O'Henry Boulevard Greensboro, North Carolina.