Juanita English Waldrep

June 26, 1928 - January 13, 2021

Mrs. Melba Juanita English Waldrep, age 92, of Marietta, Ga., and a former long-time resident of Rome, Ga., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, following an extended illness. Juanita was born in Walhalla, S.C., on June 26, 1928, the youngest of eight children of the late Floyd English and Eva Cartee English. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Jack M. Waldrep, a long-time urologist in Rome, Ga., by a sister, Helen Nelson, and five brothers, Tillman English, Dorsey English, Dr. Carl English, Lee English, and Marvin English. She is survived by one brother, Dr. Millard English of Martinsburg, W.Va., and by her four children: Jack M. Waldrep, Jr. and his wife Nancy C. Waldrep of Athens, Ga., Marvin L. Waldrep and his wife Sharon E. Waldrep of Smyrna, Ga., David F. Waldrep and his wife Margaret H. Waldrep of Marietta, Ga., and Helen W. Sheppard and her husband Brent W. Sheppard of Morganton, N.C. Her eight grandchildren are Kaye W. Davis (Terry), Jack M. Waldrep III, M. Lee Waldrep, Jr. (Vanessa), Laura W. Aldrich (Mike), Lisa W. Stokes (Chris), John D. Waldrep (Sarah), Martha S. Keller (Robby), and Anna G. Sheppard. Juanita also dearly loved her six great grandchildren: Kyla E. Walraven, Hardy F. Waldrep, Hayes W. Waldrep, Carter S. Stokes, James D. Waldrep, and Benjamin F. Waldrep. Juanita loved music and began teaching piano as a teenager. She continued teaching piano for over 50 years. She earned a degree from Erskine College, Erskine, S.C., with a double major in music and education in 1949. Soon after graduation on her birthday, June 26, 1949, Juanita married Dr. Jack M. Waldrep in Anderson, S.C. After living in Ocala, Fla., and moving to the New York City area for her husband’s residency training, the young couple moved to Rome, Ga., to raise four children, and to actively serve in the church and community. Juanita was a member of the Garden Lakes Baptist Church, Chapter E PEO, the Rome Music Lover’s Club, the Floyd/Polk/Chattooga Medical Auxiliary, and the Coosa Country Club. Juanita participated in several church hand bell choirs (including St. Mary’s Church), mission trips, the bereavement committee, and the Garden Lakes food pantry program. A graveside service will be held at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Memorial Addition, South Broad Street, Rome, Ga. at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 17, 2021, with Dr. Jimmy Gentry officiating. A public viewing will be available at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Saturday, January 16. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Garden Lakes Baptist Church, 2200 Redmond Cir, Rome, Ga. 30165. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street NE, Marietta, Ga. 30060, has charge of the arrangements.