Juanita Agnes Dawkins (aka Agnes Juanita Dawkins), born December 14, 1929, in Winston-Salem, NC., was the fourth of 13 children born to the late Harry A. Dawkins, Sr. and Katie Mae Hairston Dawkins. After many years of toiling in the south her parents migrated from the South to Harlem, NY before settling in Brooklyn, NY to provide their growing family with opportunities to enjoy a better life.

Juanita's primary education took place in Winston-Salem, NC. Upon arriving in the East New York section of Brooklyn, NY Juanita attended and in 1047 graduated Thomas Jefferson High School. Juanita went to work at a local baby shoe factory where she learned of an opportunity to attend Barber School; she enrolled and became a Master Barber.

Juanita's father doted on her and gifted her a love of sports. She attended baseball games at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn. Her father also gifted Juanita a nickname: Hank. She would follow baseball, football and basketball on radio and television, often engaging in lively conversations with her customers and family members about the various teams and the specific players. Her favorite teams were all the Negro League teams, the New York Mets, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants.

Another love gifted to Juanita by her father was that of reading the daily newspapers. She would regularly complete crossword puzzles and word search books. Music, especially jazz, was a favorite of Juanita's. With her brothers she would attend live performances at a variety of Jazz Clubs in Harlem, Manhattan and the East Village, some with Allen and Bobbie Sue (her youngest siblings) in tow. In later years her love of music grew to include rock, metal, contemporary Christian music, salsa, bachata and merengue; every type of music played without ceasing at her home in Winston-Salem.

Juanita also had a heart for dogs and had three in total: Mickey, Cho-Cho and Prince. The dogs would serve as her walking companions as Juanita also loved exercise. As an adult she walked many miles for many causes all around Winston-Salem. Her many pairs of well-worn walking shoes and weight-lifting gloves provide incontrovertible evidence of her love of and commitment to personal fitness.

Juanita was dedicated to her family and from a young age assumed the role of assisting her mother to care for and raise her younger siblings. After the death of their father in 1957 Juanita helped to raise Bill, Allen and Bobbie Sue; she referred to Allen and Bobbie who were 11 months apart as her "twins" due to them being the same age for one month each year. She was also the primary caregiver for her mom until Ms. Katie's death in 1988.

Juanita's work as an African American woman in the field of Barbering was no doubt a first and Juanita blazed a trail. She worked at The Kingston Barber Shop, which was first located at 100 Kingston Avenue in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn, with barbers Mr. Eddie and her brother Kenneth (Kenny) who then owned The Kingston Barber Shop. This Shop was located across the street from the then famous Kingston Lounge where jazz musicians like Max Roach, Kenny Dorham, Randy Weston and many others performed; they were also dedicated clients of The Kingston Barber Shop. The Shop later relocated to 111 Kingston Avenue and for several decades was solely owned and operated by Juanita. As a dedicated business owner Juanita worked tirelessly from Tuesday through Saturday each week; if there was a weekend event she would participate only if it was on Sunday after church. This dedication to her craft, her business, and her deep faith and trust in God enabled her to become a supporter of and caregiver to many family members and friends. In 2002 Juanita retired her scissors, barber shears, razors and clippers and moved to Winston Salem, NC to be closer to her sister Mattie who had also retired there.

Juanita loved to cook and would aid in the preparation of the annual Mother's Day feast that was held to honor all the mothers in the family on Wyona Street in Brooklyn NY. Juanita also loved to eat and by her own admission would eat all food; when asked if she ate a specific food, many have often heard her reply," Do I eat it? I eat FOOD. I had 12 brothers and sisters and I learned early to eat fast and not complain!"

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents Harry A. Sr. and Katie Mae Dawkins, her brothers: Harry A. Dawkins, Jr., Daniel S. Dawkins, Chevaux O. Dawkins, Thamar Dawkins, Mickey Dawkins, Kenneth A. Dawkins, Roland M. Dawkins, Harold A Dawkins, William A. Dawkins; and two younger sisters: Mattie C. Gore and Kathleen R. Dawkins-Brickhouse (affectionately called Bobbie Sue).

Juanita departed this life on October 2, 2024. She is survived by her brother Allen P. Dawkins (Maxine), along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Her great and ever-expanding love lives on in the hearts of all.

The family extends our most sincere condolences to everyone who mourns the loss of Juanita, and we extend our most sincere thanks to each of you who knew and loved Juanita and participated in the remarkable life journey of this exceptional and beautiful woman.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the charitable organization of your choice.

Public Mass to be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 1625 E. 12th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Private Memorial for family and close friends to be held at Enterprise Event and Conference Center, 1922 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27107