NANCY SMITH BOHMAN

Nancy Smith Bohman was a beloved educator, community civil rights activists, community leader, devoted church member, mentor and friend to many. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi on January 23, 1925 to Dochia Hamilton. She moved to Kansas to pursue her education and graduated from The University of Kansas in Lawrence where she received her Bachelor's degree. While at the University of Kansas, she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1947.

She moved to San Antonio in the early fifties and taught school in San Antonio public schools, St Phillips College and worked as a Director of the Y.W.C.A. She married Waddell Bohman in 1952, a veteran and civil servant until he passed away on October 14 of 1992. He became the first African American Baliff in Bexar County.

Mrs. Bohman served as the Executive Director of Project Family Rehabilitation Education (FREE) sponsored by Mt Zion First Baptist Church. This was the first non-profit Social Services agency that supported young people and the elderly in the San Antonio Eastside Community.

Mrs. Bohman was hired by the City of San Antonio in 1972 as the Program Director of the Nutrition Program for Senior Citizens. She excelled at problem-solving and quickly became the "go to" person in the Department of Human Services. In 1974, she was promoted to the position of Director of Aging and changed the way the City related to its non-profit partners. She set a standard of conduct for monitors that was one of providing support and guidance to help programs be successful. Under her leadership the program grew from 20 sites to nearly 100 comprehensive nutrition sites. Ms. Bohman became a leader in the field of Aging and was recognized by the National Institute on Aging for her leadership. She developed San Antonio into a premier site for program operations and hosted many cities and counties who came to San Antonio to see her work and learn how to deliver better and more responsive programs. In 1982, her responsibilities expanded to direct the Departments of Aging, Supportive Services, and Transportation. There too she excelled in creating connections with community partners to uplift the human spirit with holistic and caring services until she retired in 1992.

Mrs. Bohman was a tireless advocate for the elderly and youth and helped author language in and pass the Drug Free Communities Act to prevent youth substance abuse. This Act was signed into law by President Clinton in 1998 while she served as a Board Member of the San Antonio Fighting Back Community Coalition. Through this Act, over 7000 community coalitions have been funded to prevent illegal drug use by youth. Mrs. Bohman was also instrumental in bringing the Inner-City Games to San Antonio that served over 8000 youth and was supported by Arnold Schwarzenegger and the national Inner-City Games Foundation. This program later evolved to become the After School All-Stars program that is at 50 schools in San Antonio today, having started at the Bowden Elementary School.

Upon retirement, Mrs. Bohman was just as active and devoted to the community. She served on The Board of Managers for the Bexar County Hospital District from 1992-1996 where she continued to make an impact to give access to quality health care on the city's Eastside communities. In 1994 she was appointed to and served on the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees (SAWS) from 1994 until 2002. During that time the Board established a Citizens Advisory Panel and a design of recycled water system.She was very active in the Civil Rights efforts and led voter registration drives with organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women.

She served on the Board of Directors of United Negro College Fund, National Council of Negro Women, National Coalition of 100 Black Women San Antonio Chapter as the Founder, United Way, Queen of Soul, Carver Cultural Community Center, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Alpha Tau Omega Chapter, San Antonio Fighting Back, and served on the first Martin Luther King Jr Commission. In addition, she served on the Greater San Antonio After School All Stars Board. She was also a member of the Texas Women's Forum, Pals Social Club, San Antonio Women's Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, and Monday Night Ladies.

She was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1984, was a recipient of the Martin Luther King Award, and was a Mayoral appointee to Target 90 Planning Commission and the Commission on Women.

Mrs. Bohman was a very dedicated member of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church where she served as a treasurer for over 30 years.

Nancy S. Bohman passed away peacefully after a long stay in Juniper Village Senior Community.

She is preceded in death by her mother Dochia Hamilton, sister Velma S. Dunn, a brother Joe and her husband Waddell E Bohman and dear Cousin Roy W Burley Sr.

Her survivors include Cousins; John L Battles, Jelynn LeBlanc Jamerson, San Antonio, TX, Bonnie Collins Benson, Michael J Battles, Jacqueline Fields-Cutchlow, Kansas City, MO, Roy W Burley Jr., Cousin and Godaughter; Nan Burley Richie of San Antonio, TX and a host of other cousins and dear lifelong devoted family friends; Dorothy Collins, Sara Cook, William Flores, Alice Rose Kennedy, Mildred Lampkins, Jane Macon, Dr. Joyce Theard, and Billie Wilson, along with many others.

Family and dear friends will celebrate her life during the following:

Viewing will be held on Tuesday January 4, from 4-6 pm, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The Ivy Beyond The Wall Ceremony, 6:15pm at Sutton-Sutton Mortuary located: 320 S WW White RD San Antonio, TX Celebration of Life on Wednesday, January 5, 10 am at Mt Zion First Baptist Church located: 333 MLK Dr. San Antonio, TX. To attend the Celebration of Life virtually, please use the following links:

Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/464743482?pwd=V2hKRUk2ZUVZQzdZNXJkU1E0OTZhdz09

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/295426977200/live/

Interment will be held Wednesday January 12, 10 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX.

Expressions of condolence can be sent to Sutton-Sutton

Mortuary. (www.sutton-suttonmortuary.com)