On September 30, 2023, Juanita A. Bramlett, age 82, died peacefully with her family at her side. Juanita is survived by her daughter, Sandra L. (Bramlett) Bonderud; granddaughters Katerina N. Bonderud and Savannah L. Bramlett (Eric’s daughter); son-in-law Greg J. Bonderud; and sister Alice F. Irwin. She was preceded in death by her son, Eric Alton Bramlett (1970-2021) and her husband Charles Alton Bramlett (1934-2012), Her parents Irona Patterson and Clead Patterson, and brothers Earl Patterson Sr., Albert Patterson, and Charles Patterson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Born Juanita Ann Patterson on September 11, 1941, she grew up in Leeds, AL; graduated Leeds HS class of 1959; earned a BA at Judson Baptist Women’s College in 1963, and married Charles Alton Bramlett of Marietta, GA on August 12, 1965. Their children, Sandra and Eric, were born in 1968 and 1970. Later, Juanita attended UAB, earning a Masters of Education (c.1980).
Mrs. Bramlett was a beloved public school teacher in the Jefferson County and Birmingham City Schools for over three decades. She taught mostly special-ed and classrooms grades 1,2, and 4.
Juanita and her husband ‘Al’ Bramlett were faithful members of the church their entire lives, often serving as Sunday-school teachers among many other activities. Bethel Baptist in Moody is Juanita’s current church home, since 1996. Prior to that she and her family were members of Trussville First Baptist, Grayson Valley Baptist, and CenterPoint Baptist.
Juanita and Al became very active in NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) in the late 1980’s, for years volunteering tirelessly to advocate and care for people with mental illness and the homeless.
Juanita had a kind and gentle personality. Many people call her an angel. But she was also very strong, surviving cancer since the age of 31, because she was determined to raise her two young children. In her later years Juanita enjoyed being a Nana more than anything. Having just two granddaughters, she was a huge presence in their lives. Katerina (Katie) and Savannah loved their Nana very much and will treasure their family memories for a lifetime.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 6th, 2023, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am with a chapel service to follow at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.