Juanita N. Gross

Juanita Nicole Gross affectionately known as Lady, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 28, 1956 to Janie Benbow and Richard Fuller. Juanita departed this life on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 after a lengthy illness. Juanita gave her life to Christ and she exemplified it everyday of her walk. She and her sister Regina were raised in a loving home by her mother, grandmother Alethia Benbow and stepfather, William Kennedy. Juanita attended and graduated from West Philadelphia High. She received her Associate of Arts Degree from Baltimore City Community College and later attended Morgan State University. In 1994 she met the love of her life and best friend, Michael A. Gross. They were married in the spring of 2001. In 1996 she began working as an intern at the Maryland Department of Human Resources and soon became a full time and valued member of the Department’s Constituent Service Office until the spring of 2010. During her tenure, she received many awards for her dedication to service excellence. Juanita was also a humanitarian. She volunteered for numerous charities, including the Bea Gaddy Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, House of Ruth, and My Sister’s Place. She was always concerned about the welfare of others. Almost every Holiday season, she and her two oldest daughters. Would volunteer to work at shelters that feed the needy. She was well loved by all who knew her. She was able to bring a smile to the gloomiest faces. She loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She called them her “Pride And Joy.” We will miss her dearly. Juanita leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted husband, Michael Gross Sr., four daughters; Shante Minnis-Smith, Kelli Tontalaya Minnis, Alethia Costes, Michaella Gross, Step-son; Michael Gross 2nd , son-in-law, Edward Smith; mother, Janie Kennedy; mother-in-law, Ann Scott; one sister Regina Johnson; two brothers, David and Richard Fuller; adopted brother; Delllmont Gardner; three sister-in-law, Alice White, Elizabeth Morant, Marian Haggerty; three brother-in-law, Elmer Gross Jr. Robert Gross Sr., Harry Gross; four grandchildren: Nakiyah Smith; Aunts: Ruth Martin and Cleo Muhammad; Uncle, Khalid Williams; a favorite nephew, Eugene Johnson; and many close cousins, relatives and friends. Proceeding Juanita in heaven are her father: Richard Fuller, and William Kennedy; grandmother, Alethia Benbow; grandfather, Harry Benbow and sister, Charae Fuller.

Tributes

Juanita N. Gross

November 28, 1965 - November 2, 2010