Juanita Alexander Davis
June 29, 1919 - May 4, 2009
Obituary
Juanita Alexander DAVIS
Born in Seattle on June 29, 1919, to the late Irene Harvey and Ernest Alexander, passed away quietly on May 4, 2009, with her son, Arthur, and sister, Jacqueline, at her bedside.
Juanita was the third grandchild of Seattle pioneers, Charles and Eva Harvey. She graduated from Garfield High School in 1934. Following graduation, she attempted to register for nursing school at the University of Washington. Her efforts at becoming a nurse at that time were thwarted, however, because of the policy of the University School of Nursing not to accept African-American students.
Urged by Rev. Fred A. Hughes, then pastor of the First A.M.E. Church in Seattle, and encouraged by her parents, Juanita moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she was welcomed by the Homer G. Phillips Hospital and Nursing School. After completing her training there, Juanita was transferred to St. Monica’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. It was during this tenure that she met her future husband, John Lawrence Davis, a pharmacist at that hospital. They married in February 1945, and a few months later, they moved back to Juanita’s home in Seattle.
Within a few months, both Juanita and Lawrence as her husband was called found employment: Lawrence, at Pier 91 as a stock person, and at the same time, part time as a pharmacist at Russell Gideon’s Drug Store on 21st and Madison, and Juanita as the first King County Public Health Nurse.
Juanita returned as an active member of the First A.M.E. Church – the name of her grandfather, Charles H. Harvey, is engraved on the cornerstone of the church. She became a member of Choir #3 under the direction of Joseph Poe. It was during a church program that she met Mary Martyn, a professional nurse at Harborview Hospital. She and Mary joined together with eleven other Seattle nurses and formed the Mary Mahoney Registered Nurses Club.
In 1955, Juanita and Lawrence welcomed their only child, Arthur Eugene Davis. Sometime after Arthur’s birth, Juanita was able to return to work part time for the Health Department. Five years later, Lawrence suffered a stroke which partially paralyzed him. Juanita nursed Lawrence at home for several years until it was necessary to hospitalize him. Lawrence passed away in 1971.
Juanita continued to work until she realized the importance of being home with her son full time. She retired in 1977. Although unable to participate actively, she remained a staunch member of the First A.M.E. Church. She continued membership with the Mary Mahoney Registered Nurses Club. She was an active member of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, Inc., and also a member of the Central Area Senior Center.
In the late 1980s, her son, Arthur, now employed with Postal Express, moved back home to help his mother, and had been her staunch advisor, companion, and care giver through the years.
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Dorothy Alexander Vickers; and brother, Donald H. Alexander. She leaves to mourn her loss her son, Arthur; sister, Jacqueline Lawson; cousin, Susan Taylor, all of Seattle; cousin, Charles Wright, Berkeley, California; niece, Gwendolyn Lawson Townsend Rev. Sam Townsend, Sr.. Tukwila; nephew, Ronald Lawson Vicki, Maple Valley; nephew, Michael Lawson, Reno; niece, Sharon Vickers Fremont, California; niece, Judith Alexander; sister-in-law, Verna Alexander Donald Alexander; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Monday, May 11, 2009, at Bonney-Watson Mortuary on Broadway in Seattle from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at the First A.M.E Church on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization.
Dear Family
I want to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one.
You can be assured that comfort and hope are found in the pages of the Bible.
Revelations 21: 4 tell us of a time when all the troubles that cause tears, will be no more.
This is indeed a wonderful hope
Please take care of yourselves.
Sincerely
Mrs. Watkins
Arthur,I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I’m not sure if you remember me, I am a friend of Sis. Townsend. Sis. Townsend and family I am praying for you in this diffcult time. I felt like your Aunt was my Aunt also. I do remember the wonderful cake she used to make for the children’s birthdays. Ms Lawson may God bless you and give you strength.
God Bless