Juanita Anderson

Juanita Anderson was born on June 2, 1931 to Ulus and Florence Breedlove (nee Smith) in Cincinnati, OH and passed away peacefully at Courtyard at the Seasons Skilled Nursing Center. Juanita came up in the West End, a vibrant and community-driven African American enclave of Cincinnati, populated primarily as a result of the Great Migration. She always owed her love of family as well as her dedication to faith and service to that rich upbringing. 

She attended and graduated from Woodward High School and became a young wife to Eugene (Geno) Johnson. While raising a family, she began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Christ Hospital, cementing her calling to be of help and comfort to humanity. Later, after the end of her first marriage, she wed William (Bill) Anderson, with whom she would create a life for 36 years, until his passing in 2002. After the birth of her third child in 1967, she retired from nursing to become a consummate homemaker, always creating a beautiful home, and becoming the lynchpin of her family. 

Although she never returned to nursing, Juanita kept her education and license up to date well into the 90s, illustrating her desire to always be ready and willing to help. She thrived on organization and treated everyone she met with kindness and goodwill. She was a faithful member of Calvary United Methodist Church her entire life, and worked tirelessly for the democratic process, serving in Cincinnati’s Seventh Ward Democratic Club as well being a loyal poll-worker most of her adult life. She always made sure her children knew the importance and the privilege of voting. 

Anyone who knew her knew that her family was her priority. She was blessed with three children, Saundra (d.), Eric and William, in whom she instilled values and offered unconditional love, through all of life’s triumphs and trials. She was Mom, Grandma, Spatzie, Nina, Nit, Auntie, Miss Juanita, J. Breedlove Jr., Chink. Everyone felt a connection with her and had their own name for her. She was one of a kind. 

She was preceded in death by husbands, William and Eugene; parents, Ulus and Florence and daughter Saundra (Sandy). 

She leaves behind to mourn her passing: sons Eric and William (Chris), sister Patrice, grandchildren Rhonda, Erin, Ryan and Eric, niece Randrea (Precia) and nephew William (Andre), eight great-grandchildren, and a host of friends, relatives, associates and caregivers.

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