Juanita “Anita” Clay Varney, 91, of Bristol, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at her home.

Anita was born in Huddy, KY on October 22, 1934 to the late, Delmer F. Lee and Bessie (Clay) Lee. She married the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” G. Varney in Ft. Wayne, IN on December 23, 1953. He passed away on June 3, 2011.

Anita is preceded in death by her brothers, Delmer, Bruce, Bob, John and Raymond; a sister, Lou Brown and son-in-law, Jim Adams.

Anita is survived by her daughters, G. Kay Adams, Sharon Szelestey, Cindy (Kevin) Bullard and Angie (Brent) Twitchell; grandchildren, Tiffany (Travis), CJ (Cristy), Yvonne and Dorain (David); great grandchildren, Jackson, Josephine, Asher, Dominic, Olivia, Brent and Willow; sisters, Pat Gabbard and Sally Warf; brother, Joe Lee along with several nieces and nephews.

Anita was truly a “Jill of all trades.” She had been involved in the antique “junk” business since 1971, traveling to shows and running her own shop. She attended Bethel College after her first retirement and went to work at Elkhart General Hospital in home health care. After retiring for the second time, she began working at Bullard Farm Market where she was known for her pies and cookies along with her talent for planting flowers.

Anita enjoyed painting, baking and decorating and puttering in her yard. She loved a good yard sale. She was not one to sit for any length of time. There was always something to do and somewhere to go. Family was important to her, especially her girls. She often said she didn’t know what to do without them. Truth be told, “the girls” don’t know what they will do without her. She loved and was loved.

A private funeral service will be held at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514. Pastor Sarah Miller will officiate.

She will be interred at Olive East Cemetery.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Riverview Day Health, 2715 E. Jackson Blvd, Elkhart, IN, 46516.

For those that wish to send a condolence, share a memory or order flowers may do so at www.billingsfuneralhome.com