Juanita Boatman

Juanita Johnson Boatman’s spirit took flight into the heavenly realm on February 25, 2016. She was 99 years 6 months of age. Born in Winslow, Arkansas on August 22, 1916 to the late Grace Evelyn Pierce and Argil Maine Johnson, she moved to Fort Smith at the age of 6.

She married James Alton Boatman on March 24, 1934 and devoted her life to being a homemaker. Their union of 72 years produced two children, Don Boatman of Lubbock, Texas and Lynn Lewis and her husband Ralph of Fort Smith; five grandchildren, Barry Boatman and wife Kim of Dallas Texas, David Boatman and wife Sarah of McKinney, Texas, Brent Lewis and wife Robbie of Fort Smith, Krista Hinton and husband Randall of Fort Smith, and Vance Lewis of Dallas, Texas; eight great-grandchildren, Brock and Reid Boatman, Eric and Leah Boatman, Carson and Cameron Lewis, and Luke and Hannah Hinton.

She joined Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Smith in 1929 and served there faithfully for 68 years until physical limitations restricted her attendance. She held many offices in the church during that time including church secretary, Sunday school records administrator and servant to the homebound and hospital ministries.

In the time allotted to her by her creator and savior, Jesus Christ, Juanita walked worthy before the Lord. Her life was marked by her love of family and friends, her services were performed with grace and mercy, her talents were generously shared with others, and her virtues were the pride of her family. While she will be greatly missed by all who knew her, the lessons she taught through her life of honor will continue to live in the hearts and minds of those who loved her.

In addition to her parents, Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, James; brother-in-law, Jake Sebourn; one sister, Elma Sebourn, and Great-Grandson, Landon Lewis.

Funeral services will be Monday February 29, 2016, at 1 PM at Edwards Funeral Chapel with burial at the U.S. National Cemetery at 2 PM.

Pallbearers will be Brent Lewis, Vance Lewis, Barry Boatman, David Boatman, Randal Hinton and Ralph Lewis.

“ I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an echo of laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when my life on earth is done.

The song is over, but the memories will linger forever.