Juanita Marie Edmondson

Juanita passed away on May 4, 2026, and was born in Louisville Kentucky April 5, 1932, to John and Marie Crumes.  Her father worked at G.E. and did other odd jobs while her mother was a homemaker.  Juanita was baptized at St. Stephen Baptist Church in 1948, by the late Rev. B. J. Miller, Sr.  Juanita graduated from Central High School in 1949, and then attended nursing school earning her LPN from the first class of LPNs at Red Cross Hospital in 1950-1951. She subsequently worked at Red Cross Hospital after she graduated. She married Charles A. Edmondson, Jr. July 14, 1953, at St. Stephen Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. B. J. Miller, Sr.; he preceded her in death in May 2006. Juanita gave birth to her only child, a daughter, Toni Edmondson Whalen, on May 3, 1954. Juanita began working as a school aide at Phyllis Wheatley School and was later hired as a school nurse at Booker T. Washington/Meyzeek Jr. High School for several years.  Juanita began volunteering at Planned Parenthood and was subsequently hired as their first full-time nurse where she worked for 25 years before her retirement. She was so proud of her nursing license that she kept it active well into her 80’s. 

Even though Juanita only had one child, she nurtured and helped to raise many nieces and nephews over the years as well as taking in and helping to comfort many of her mother’s aunts and uncles when they needed care.  She has one younger sister, Gertie Crumes Owens; two special nephews, Curtis E. Owens and Robert Owens, Jr.; many great nieces and nephews; and her very special nephew, Cameron Owens who was Auntie’s special “boy.”

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at St. Stephens Baptist Church, 1018 S. 15th Street, Louisville, KY, from 11am-1pm with a celebration of Juanita's life beginning at 1pm.

Juanita will be laid to rest at Green Meadows Cemetery, 3800 Shanks Lane, Louisville, KY.

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