Juanita M. Newman, a Kenyon staff member from 1982 until her retirement in 1992 and a longtime presence in the community, died Thursday, April 24, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. She was seventy-eight.
Juanita was born in Columbus on February 1, 1936, a daughter of Hilda McFarland Hite and Raymond W. Hite. The family moved to Knox County during Juanita’s childhood, and she went on to graduate from Mount Vernon High School.
In February 1982, Juanita came to Kenyon as secretary to the dean of students, a position then held by Thomas J. Edwards. In May 1989, she was named secretary to Frank W. Hale Jr., the College’s executive assistant to the president for multicultural affairs. In July 1992, she retired, although she continued to teach a class in adult aerobics that she had led for a decade.
Juanita and her husband, Yauncey Newman, became friends and sometimes surrogate parents to many Kenyon students over the years. They frequently entertained students in their Howard home, and they often spent their summers traveling to alumni weddings. Juanita and Yauncey, who was employed at Kenyon as a helper in the maintenance department from 1986 until his retirement several years ago, were avid runners, square dancers, and supporters of the College’s athletic clubs and teams. Yauncey died in 2011.
Juanita is survived by a brother, Ellis Hite. She is also survived by her many “Kenyon kids” and their families.
A memorial service for Juanita is scheduled for noon on Saturday, May 3, at the Church of Christ at Millwood, located on Bridge Street in Millwood. A lunch will follow at the church. Contributions in Juanita’s memory may be made to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Rd., Mount Vernon, Ohio, 43050.