Mrs. Juanita Virginia Booker

January 12, 1928 - November 30, 2018

God in his calm and gentle grace sent his angels to claim his servant, Juanita Virginia Booker on Friday, November 30, 2018. She was born January 12, 1928 to the late Sam Ben and Sally Lee Young in Redwood, Virginia. Juanita was the youngest of ten children, who have all preceded her in death. Juanita graduated from Franklin County Training School. She also graduated from Bluefield State College in Bluefield, West Virginia, obtaining her Bachelors degree of Science in Education. She completed her graduate work at D.C. Teachers College, Howard University, Federal City College and Catholic University, earning her Masters degree. She attained her Christian education while attending Lutheran Rice College for one year, studying the teachings of the New Testament. Juanita was a member of the Delta Kappa Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. at Bluefield College. Juanita was a native of Franklin County Rocky Mount, Virginia and relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1952 for employment. In 1953 she married Allen Mayden and to this union one daughter was born, Cecelia Mayden. Juanita was later joined in holy matrimony to Reverend Dr. Austin A. Booker, March 1968. Juanita was a faithful and dedicated member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. She was an honorable Deaconess, Advisor to the Sunshine Band, A Senior Choir Member, Founder and Directress of the AA Booker Dramatics club and member of the Missionary Circle and Church Sunday School. She was also a member of several religious and civic organizations, including the Interdenominational Council of Ministers’ wives and widows of Washington, D.C and Northern Virginia, member of the state ministers’ wives’ of Washington D.C. Incorporated and vicinity of which she was a past president. Juanita was a teacher for the District of Columbia Public Schools. She retired in 1985. Realizing that she missed educating children, Juanita regained employment in 1987 with the Alexandria Public Schools. She worked at Polk Elementary for five years and retired for the second time in 1992. Juanita’s life was centered around children, education and church. She was a woman of true style and proved herself to be a fashionista with great love for designer church hats. Many have benefited from her generous spirit and willingness to give a helping hand. Her motto was “Love God and all mankind and he will direct your pathway to a righteous life.” Juanita is preceded by her parents, husband, Reverend Dr. Austin A. Booker, stepchildren, Edmonia Mercer, Christine Shepherd, Marvin Booker and William Booker. She leaves to cherish her loving daughter, Cecelia Mayden; step children, Mary Mercer, Robert Booker, Theodore Booker and Cordelia Price; grand daughters, who were her caregivers, Natasha and Cerese and a host of other grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Charles Leavelle; Jean Horace, whom she considered her daughter and great friends Bernice Williams, Sally Payne and the Copes Family and a host of other family members and so many great friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her dearly.