Juanita D. Bowles

Juanita Doris Elmore Bowles, 88, of Lebanon, Ohio, (formerly of Charleston – Belle and Rand areas) went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, after a long battle with Osteoarthritis. Born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, on February 7, 1928, Juanita was the only child of the late Clyde E. and Mamie Mae (Wentz) Elmore of Belle. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Charles H. Bowles. Juanita graduated from DuPont High School in 1947 and remained close to her classmates through the years. They loved each other so much and relished in talking on the phone and being together whenever possible: Margaret Hardway, Betty Windle, Dorothy Lawrence, Carmalee Litteral; and Joyce Ferrell. Although an only child, Juanita was close with several first cousins whom she loved and regarded as her brothers and sisters: Leon Keeling, Kathleen Nolan (deceased); Jack Keeling (deceased); and, Janet Mae Carpenter. She was very close to her long time neighbor and friend in Rand, Margaret Scott Taylor. A lifelong member of the Belle Church of Christ, Juanita was active in the Rainbow Girls and Eastern Star as a young woman. She was active in the PTA; homeroom mothers and contributed her time to many causes that supported the DuPont High School which opened in 1963 that her daughter graduated from. She and her mother were part of the original Stepping Stones organization for Ohio Valley Christian College, Parkersburg, WV. In 2005, she moved to Lebanon, Ohio to live with her only child, Janice and her husband, Michael. She enjoyed her new home, especially the sunroom where she read and played with her grand-cats. Juanita enjoyed fishing and camping with her husband, liked to travel in her later years, enjoyed crocheting with her friends, bird watching, and working with her flowers. She is survived by her daughter and husband, Janice and Michael Watsell of Lebanon, Ohio; nephew Robert M Bowles of Las Vegas, NV; Phyllis I. Vickers of Charleston; Barbara A. Waters of Columbus, OH; and many cousins whom she held dear. Visitation will be Monday, March 14, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, 5233 Rocky Fork Rd. Cross Lanes, WV 25313 with services following at 1:00 p.m. Joseph A. Pauley, Pastor of the Belle Church of Christ will officiate. Final resting place will be at Tyler Mountain Mausoleum with her husband. A special thank you to Juanita’s home care aid who also became her friend, Deborah Philips. Special appreciation to the Northeast Church of Christ of Cincinnati members who befriended her after her move to Lebanon; the loyal members of the Belle Church of Christ who never forgot her; and the Rev. Randy Fannin, Pastoral Care Minister of the Lebanon Presbyterian Church. We would also like to thank the staffs of Bethesda North Hospital; Otterbein Transitional Care Unit (especially Ben and Carmen); and Atrium Hospital for all the loving care they gave our mother. She appreciated all the calls, cards, visits and prayers during her three week hospital/care stay. To honor our mother, we ask that each day you let those you love know that you love them. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Association of Warren County, 230 Cook Road, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 or to the charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.tylermountainfuneralhome.com