Jaunesta Cannon

Jaunesta’s Journey “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives you, I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I will come to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now, I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” John 14: 27-29 On August 8, 2019 at approximately 10:50 a.m., Jaunesta Smith Cannon departed this life surrounded by a ban of glowing and singing angels and family. Extolling “All is Well With My Soul,” take your rest, good and faithful soldier of Christ. Your work on earth is complete. Jaunesta was born on August 1, 1950 in Salisbury, Maryland to Arthur and Luetta Savage Smith. She was the eldest of three children. She was a product of the Wicomico County school system. Here is where she met and married her high school sweetheart (the late Wallace M. Cannon); from her forty (40) year marriage two children were born. Jaunesta was a 1988 alumna of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Master Studies in the field of Counselor Education. In addition, she was a Certified Assisted Housing Manager by the National Leased Housing Association. Jaunesta was a semi-retiree, after thirty-five (35) years of service of the State of Maryland. Currently, she was employed by the Worcester County Department of Social Services as a Family Investment Counselor. She helped meet the needs of vulnerable members in the community. At one point, she simultaneously served as Project Manager for one of the only African-American owned housing authorities in Wicomico County. This agency focused on the elderly and disabled. She loved the Lord and gave her life to Christ early in life. Jaunesta was a charter member of New Hope Baptist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. She served New Hope in various capacities: as Church Secretary, Mass Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, Technology, Usher Board, and Security. She was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and had presently held the position of Basileus. Her community involvement included the Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP and several other affiliations. Jaunesta had a passion for serving all mankind which was demonstrated by her involvements over the past thirty (30) years. One of her favorite sayings was, “If I can help somebody as I travel along”, or “If I can cheer up somebody with a song”; then my living shall not have been in vain. Coming from a loving family, she was a wonderful daughter and sister. Jaunesta was a dutiful wife, resourceful and devoted mother, doting grandmother, great grandmother and a wonderful friend. She was an outgoing social woman of distinction with an infectious personality that uplifted those who came to know her. Jaunesta Smith Cannon leaves to cherish her fond and precious memory: one son, Michael Cannon, Sr. (Melissa) of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter, Etola (Sherry) Nesbitt (Kenneth) of Charleston, SC; one step-daughter, Pamela Redd (Larry, Sr.) of Norfolk, VA; her mother, Luetta Smith and one brother, Stephen Smith both of Salisbury, MD; one sister, Donzella Smith of Silver Spring, MD; 8 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; two aunts, Mary Ellen Robertson (William) of Norfolk, VA and Frances Smith of Salisbury, MD; brothers-in-law, Hammond Cannon (Hazel) of Jacksonville, FL, Richard Bonner (Phyliss) of Willards, MD and Dane Bonner of Key West FL; sister-in-law, Devra Turner of Jacksonville, FL and five devoted friends, Shelley Doane-Gale, Doris Henson Gale, Tanya Fennell and Katherine Robinson all of Salisbury, MD and Gail Sylvester of Somerset, NJ. In addition, her eternal spirit will be remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace M. Cannon and father, Arthur Smith. God saw she was getting tired, And a cure was not to be; So He put his arms around her, And whispered, “Come With Me.” With tearful eyes we watched her, And saw her fade away; Although we loved her dearly, We could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard-working hands laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes The Best. Loving Submitted The Family

Jaunesta Cannon

August 1, 1950 - August 8, 2019