Juanita May Bowman

Feb 26, 1940 - Jul 3, 2024

Juanita May Bowman was born on February 26, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the firstborn child of William H. May and Hazel Jones May. When she was five years old, the family moved from West Philadelphia to Trevose, Pennsylvania, a rural, close-knit, predominantly African American suburb in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Juanita and her younger sister Earleen were homeschooled by their mother and as a result, Juanita was able to skip a grade upon entering public school. At age six, Juanita received a scholarship to study the cello at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. Juanita and her sister Earleen often played duets accompanied by their mother on piano. She took art classes at Fleisher Memorial Art School and enjoyed sketching trees in the grove behind her family’s home.

As a teenager, Juanita attended St. Matthews Methodist Church and sang in the choir. She attended Bensalem High School where she excelled academically and played basketball, softball, and lacrosse. She graduated in 1957, and received a math scholarship to attend the University of Pennsylvania, ultimately competing her Bachelor’s of Arts coursework in Education at Temple University. Soon thereafter, she obtained her Master’s of Arts in Dance from Temple as well.

Juanita choreographed modern dance, toured with dance troupes, and performed at Riverside Church in New York City in the 1960s. She was a camp counselor at Camp Mohawk in The Catskill Mountains. Juanita was also an active member of the Philadelphia international folk dance community and practiced and taught dances from countries including Greece, South Africa, Ireland, Israel, Japan, and others. After she began teaching for the School District of Philadelphia, Juanita managed her finances wisely. This afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe with friends. In a time when it was uncommon for young women to do so, she purchased her first home in the University City section of Philadelphia.

Juanita taught Dance and Physical Education at Kensington and Overbrook High School. At Overbrook, she was an advisor for student productions, including “Purlie!” and “Guys and Dolls”. In 1970, she met Arthur Bowman, a handsome Special Education educator in the district, and the two married in 1971. They soon became parents to daughter Meera Elizabeth and William Arthur. The family relocated from Northwest Philadelphia to Elkins Park, PA in 1980.

Juanita was a charter member of the Montgomery County PA Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. a national organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African American Leaders. During her Jack and Jill tenure, Juanita served as chapter Vice President and Program Director. She had a gift for coordinating events that fostered community. From bus trips up to New York City or down to the Atlanta University Center, Juanita’s trips created countless memories for all who participated.

Juanita adored all things vintage and collectible, and eventually opened her own antiques shop on Willow Grove Avenue in Wyndmoor, PA called “Juanita’s One of a Kind”. There she engaged with customers who shared her love for obscure and/or historical treasures.

She loved hosting family gatherings and especially looked forward to the holidays and creating magical Christmases for Meera and William. Juanita enjoyed crossword puzzles and board games, watching basketball (Sixers!), football (Eagles!), game shows, and, on occasion, some reality TV. Juanita’s recipe for herb-seasoned collard greens without any pork whatsoever was unmatched!

Juanita also enjoyed going to the Jersey Shore with Arthur and her children each summer and later traveling with Arthur as empty nesters to New England, The Grand Canyon, and The Mediterranean. The couple regularly visited Cape May and Absecon, NJ with friends.
Juanita was a quintessential "Daddy's Girl." After her father retired to Mexico in the mid 1970s, she looked forward to his annual visits for a month each summer. The two enjoyed playing cards until late at night. When he moved back to the States in 2005, he moved in permanently, and she cared for him until his passing. 

Despite developing autoimmune diseases in middle age, Juanita never let that deter her from pursuing her passions and pouring into those she loved most.Juanita leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 53 years Arthur Bowman, her daughter Meera Bowman-Johnson (Mat Johnson), son William Bowman (Alisha), grandchildren Shamar and Jayden Bowman, and Jasmin, Chloe and Liam Johnson, Niece Stephanie Phillips (Lincoln), Nephew Robert Redding (Melanie), and Sisters-in-law Frances Bowman and Sallyann Bowman and a host of extended family and friends.