JUANITA FRASER

Funeral Services for Ms. Juanita Fraser, who died on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in Ohio, will be held on 12:00 Noon Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. A Public Viewing will be held on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Wilds Courtyard Chapel.

Following the Funeral Service, A Video will be Posted On Facebook for Viewing. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057252318124

Juanita Fraser was born on June 25, 1930, in Georgetown, South Carolina to James P. Fraser and Nancy Fraser (nee Grate). Due to the death of her mother when she was a toddler, she was reared by her father and stepmother Martha Fraser, who preceded her in death.

Juanita Fraser, affectionately known as “Nita”, was destined to become a phenomenal woman and live a remarkable life.

Raised at 227 Meeting Street, Juanita grew up in a close community with her parents, three brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

Her unwavering faith and trust in the Lord began at an early age when Juanita became a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Class 1 under the leadership of Mrs. Celia J. Gardner. She was a member of the youth choir, Sunday school and the Allen Christian Endeavor League.

Juanita graduated from Howard High School in 1951 and it was at her high school alma mater that she became an avid football fan. Juanita was well known for the homemade meals, desserts and doughnuts that she voluntarily prepared for the football team. After her high school graduation, she married Edward Nesbitt. Their nuptials ended in divorce and no children were born to their union.

She moved to New York City in 1960 and during this phase of her life she worked as a Housemother at a residence for international students in lower Manhattan and later an assistant cook for the Head Start Program at the Frederick Douglass Center; however, the position/title she loved most was mother.

While in New York, she reunited with some of her high school classmates and they formed the New York City Howardites Club ‘51. The club hosted educational projects, several class reunions, dances and bus trips to the Georgetonian Dance in Washington, D.C. The funds raised were used to support endeavors of fellow Georgetonians.

Nita was introduced to her life partner, David E. Rowe, Sr. by a family member. They became the proud parents of five children; two daughters and three sons. Home was at 157 West 105th Street, Apartment 4ER, New York, New York.

Juanita, a caring person, was concerned not only about her family, but also, families who lived in her building and the adjoining one as well. She organized a rent strike with the tenants of both properties owned by the same landlord since this individual did not properly manage/upkeep both buildings. The City of New York subsequently intervened and took over the buildings and under Juanita’s leadership the tenants organized themselves and were able to purchase the properties from the City of New York. These efforts left an indelible imprint on her children about the importance of speaking up and fighting for what is right.

She served on the Board of the Children’s Aid Society Frederick Douglass Center in the City of New York and was always active in the affairs of the immediate community. After retiring as an assistant cook for the Head Start Program at the Frederick Douglass Center, Juanita volunteered at the elementary school that her children attended; Public School 145, The Bloomingdale School. Juanita cherished the lifelong relationships/friendships that she had over the years while she resided in New York City.

In 2001 she moved to Mason, Ohio with her eldest son and his family, where she made new friendships, shared her warmth and caring personality, embraced her extended family and rejoiced in being a grandmother and having the fellowship of family and friends.

Juanita was a warm, loving, caring, and protective mother. These feelings naturally extended to her biological and extended family/friends. Her presence and impact knew no boundaries and she received and loved everyone unconditionally. Up until the evening the Lord called her home, her mind was sharp, she could talk sports or politics and was as funny as ever. Her beauty and sense of style were timeless; whether it was wearing gowns at the Georgetonian Balls or her African attire with a matching head piece accessorized with the beautiful jewelry she always wore.

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, Juanita Fraser departed this life at age 92. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers; Henry P. Grate, James P. Fraser, Jr., Olen Fraser; nephew, Dwayne R. Fraser; sister-in-law, Elizabeth J. Grate and her life partner, David E. Rowe, Sr.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories and celebrate her life, her children, David, Jr.(Kathy) Rowe of Mason, Ohio, Karen Gamble of Omaha, Nebraska, Tommy (Tomika) Rowe of Hampton, Virginia, Santana (Melissa) Fraser of Bronx, New York, and Lurithen (Paolo) Fusco of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren, Camerine, David Isaiah, Mariah, Alonso, Bakari, Jelani, Melissa, Langston, Kamari, and Seneca; sister-in-law, Albertha R. Fraser of Hawley, Pennsylvania; niece, Renee D. Grate of Columbia, South Carolina; nephew, Darryl Fraser of Scranton, Pennsylvania; grandniece, LaToya E. Grate-Adams (Jarvis) of Chapin, South Carolina; grandnephew, Darryl C. Fraser of Covington, Georgia; great grandnephew, Darryl J. Fraser of Covington, Georgia; cousins, Clarence Smalls of Georgetown, South Carolina, Hilda Kerse of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Herman Smalls of Perry, Georgia, Benjamin Smalls of Columbia, South Carolina, Alvin Smalls of Bronx, New York, Rev. Shirley Rutledge of Middle Island, New York, Audrey Elberdean Fraser of Brooklyn, New York, Ulysses Brown of Georgetown, South Carolina, Gwyndella Brown of Brooklyn, New York, Margaret Maloney of Cleveland, Ohio, Marva L. Riley of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, David H. Riley, Jr. of Georgetown, South Carolina, Dr. Marthena G. Morant of Georgetown, South Carolina, Christopher Grate of Hemingway, South Carolina and Mary Grate of New York, New York; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to one of the following:

● City Mission Gospel - Cincinnati
City Gospel Mission https://www.citygospelmission.org

● Children’s Aide Society - NYC
Children's Aide Society https://donate.childrensaidnyc.org

● Howard High School, Georgetown, S.C. Alumni Association - Howard High School Alumni Association

The Celebration of Life
12:00 Noon Saturday, November 5, 2022
Historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Reverend Dr. Betty Deas Clark, Worship Leader

The Prelude ...............................................Brother Ceddrick Cooper, Musician
The Processional Hymn #437..............................................“Be Not Dismayed”
The Opening Song………………………………. “When You Hear of My Homegoing ”
The Invocation ...........................................................Sister Albertha R. Fraser,
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Westbury, NY

The Scripture:
Sister Camerine Rowe, Granddaughter
Old Testament…………..……………………...…...Psalm 27:1-4, 13-14

Brother David I. Rowe III, Grandson
New Testament…………………………………….………….….John 14: 1-7

The Acknowledgements…………...…Sister LaToya E. Grate-Adams, Grandniece
(Obituary Read Silently)

Special Family Tribute:
Poem………..Sister Lurithen Fraser, Daughter

The Reflections:
Sister Renee D. Grate, Niece Brother Santana Fraser, Son

The Hymn Of Preparation .............................“Precious Lord Take My Hand”
The Words Of Comfort...................................Reverend Dr. Betty Deas Clark
Committal/Benediction/Recessional
The Closing Song…………………………………….…………..… “I’m Going Up Yonder”

Honorary Pallbearers:
David A. Rowe, Jr. Tommy Rowe Santana Fraser
David I. Rowe, lll Paolo Fusco Darryl Fraser

Repast:
Kindly join the family in repast in honor of the late Sis. Juanita Fraser in the Glisson Center.

Acknowledgement:
Our family would like to thank you for your presence here and for the love and sympathy you have offered us. The support you have shown us over the past few weeks has been overwhelming, and we appreciate you all. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
David, Karen, Tommy, Santana and Lurithen

We also acknowledge the following:
The Bell Family The Buttone Family The Fraser Family
The Gibson Family The Grate Family The Moultrie Family
The Smalls Family The Townes Family The Talbert Family The Webster Family
Pastor and Congregation of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Georgetown, South Carolina