Juanita Freeman

Juanita Freeman, 76, of Atlanta, GA, peacefully entered eternal life on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Juanita was the daughter of the late Frank and Annie McMorris (Satterwhite). In addition to her parents, Juanita was predeceased by her husband Francis J. Freeman, sisters, Jessie Ruth McMorris, Annie Pearl Thomas, Shirley Harris, Nan Goodwin, Ernestine Beard, and her brother William Edward Mays.

She relocated to Albany, NY in January 1959, where she remained until September 2016. Juanita served her community for many years through her employment at Whitney M. Young Health Center where she worked as a Phlebotomist and as a dedicated foster parent for Parson's Child & Family Center. Led by her faith, she was a compassionate woman whose love of family ties and bonds were immeasurable. She will be missed for her matriarchal strength, her honest wisdom, her upbeat spirit, and for her consistent willingness and commitment to helping others.

Juanita's memories will be cherished by her siblings, Charles McMorris (Carolyn) from Birmingham, Alabama, Rose Marie Debrow (Raymond) from Birmingham, Alabama, Arnetta Dianne Turner (William) from Detroit, Michigan, and Willie Mays Jr. from Atherton, California; her loving children, Zanetta Motley, Arlene Brathwaite (Ali), and Arnita Norris-Dowdell (Antonio); her cherished grandchildren, Jasmine Brown (Markeith), Sherodd Craft, Nicole Wise, Tamicka Dent-Ramey, Lakeshia Motley, Nicholas Norris, Keon Norris (Melesa), Sharmaine Williams (Ishon), Daytwaun Minter, and Marshay Brathwaite.

She is also survived by her extended-blessings children, Major Collins, Derrick Jackson (Joea), Jiemeka Freeman, Keon Lovelady, D'Andrea Brooks, Corrine Bland , Kaneeha Swann (Matthew), and Tyron Young, as well as a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family also wishes to acknowledge any unnamed children whose lives may have been touched by Juanita's love.


A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm, on Friday, January 27, 2017 at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205. The burial will follow The Service at Graceland Cemetery, 680 Delaware Avenue, Albany, NY. At the conclusion of the Interment, the family will receive visitors at The Livingston School Apartments community room, 315 Northern Blvd. Albany, NY.