Juanita Dunn Buzzard was born Juanita Dunn on August 17,1934 to Roy and Mamie Dunn and reared in Kenansville, North Carolina. Juanita had two brothers (Allen and Harold) and two sisters (Geraldine and Dorothy). She attended Kenansville High School graduating valedictorian of her class. She acted in school plays and played the piano. She continued her education at Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee (now Welch College), and served as VP of Student Affairs, and received her BA degree in Christian Education. In the summers, she travelled across North Carolina in her old car Henry, a 1946 Ford, conducting vacation bible schools for many churches. Later, she received a Master’s degree in Christian Education from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Oak Brook, Illinois.

While working at a church in Durham in 1959, she met Lynn Robert Buzzard, a student at Duke University, and the future love of her life. They were married in 1960 and over the next four years had three sons, Ted, Terry and Tony. Juanita worked as a stay-at-home mom while the boys were young, though constantly helping out at church and conducting Bible studies in the home. Later, she would use her degrees by becoming the Education Director at Buies Creek First Baptist Church, and later at Dunn First Baptist Church.

Juanita travelled the world with her husband, running ministries in the far corners of the world while Lynn was teaching law. In her spare time, she enjoyed book clubs, Bible studies and painting.

Juanita was a scholar, excellent cook, avid reader, and theologian. But perhaps more importantly, she was a wonderful mother, teacher, and friend whose primary desire was to bring up her children in the Lord. She was the rock and cornerstone of our home and family. She never met a stranger and, more importantly, never met anyone with whom she didn’t fearlessly, yet sweetly, share the love of Jesus.

She was married to Lynn for 64 years at the time of his passing last October 2025. She is survived by her sister Dorothy; her three sons Ted, Terry and Tony and daughters- in- law Tonya and Brenda. She had 11 grandchildren (Jamie, Jordan, Wesley, Tyler, Brittany, Spencer, Lauren, Allyson, Christian, Jackson, Brandon); and 8 great grandchildren (Trevor, Layla, Birdie, Maverick, Maddox, Amelia and Marceline and Mabel).

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 14 beginning at 6:30 PM at Buies Creek First Baptist Church with Rev. Gabe Waters and Rev. John Rogers officiating. A private graveside service will be held in Buies Creek Cemetery prior to the memorial service.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Buies Creek First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 160, Buies Creek, NC 27506.