Ms. Juanita B. Gurkins, age 75, a resident of Sixth Street, Washington, N.C., died Thursday, July 7, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2011, in the chapel of Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations officiated by the Rev. Ray Faircloth Sr. Burial will follow at Pamlico Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Ms. Gurkins was born on Aug. 14, 1935, in Pitt County, N.C., daughter of the late William I. Beddard and Janie Parrott Beddard. She was married to E. S. Gurkins, who preceded her in death. Ms. Gurkins was a caregiver for her granddaughter and was employed by Pinnacle Home Health in Greenville and Hamilton Beach for 38 years. She attended Higher Ground Pentecostal Holiness Church in Ahoskie. Ms. Gurkins was privileged to go back to school at the age of 69 and received her GED.

Survivors include her son, Robert E. Knox of Washington, N.C.; two daughters, Sue Faucette of Chocowinity, N.C., and Iris Young of Rocky Mount, N.C.;  a brother, William Earl Beddard of Savannah, Ga.; four sisters, Rose Main of Washington, N.C., Mary Lou Paszt of Wilson, N.C., Delore Edwards of Chocowinity, N.C., and Alice Norman of Aurora, N.C.; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Paul Anthony Knox, a daughter Teresa K. Smith, two sisters, Lucretia Buck and Betty Jean Daniels and two brothers, Ivey Beddard and Danny Ray Beddard.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Beaufort County Developmental Center, 1534 W. Fifth St., Washington, NC 27889.

Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com.

Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 U.S. Highway 264 E., Washington, N.C., has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Gurkins family.