Juanita Gee

She was born in Middletown, RI on October 11, 1917. She attended Rogers High School and later married Richard Gee of Fiskeville, RI. Together they moved to Fiskeville, where they operated the Arkwright Poultry farm until the 1960s. Mrs. Gee took on the task of farming with zest and competence. After that time, Juanita assumed the position of an accountant for the State of Rhode Island until her retirement. Her spouse, Richard, was a graduate of Moses Brown School and Rutgers University, majoring in agriculture. Mrs. Gee was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution DAR, holding several offices in the Rhode Island chapter. Juanita was also an active member of the local garden club and became a national expert in poultry breeding and show judging. She and her spouse, Richard, became nationally known and admired for their efforts pertaining to poultry genetic improvements in egg production and poultry breeding. An avid bird watcher, she served on the board of the Rhode Island Audubon Society and participated in establishing the Rhode Island Red as the state bird of Rhode Island. She is predeceased by her spouse, Richard, and survived by her son, Randall Randy Stewart Gee of Portsmouth, RI and grandson, Brandon Barry Gee of Memphis, Tennessee. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11 am at St Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.