Barbara Juan Brunson

March 27,2025, Barbara Juan Brunson peacefully passed away at the age of 97 in Boynton Beach, Florida. The only child of Elsie May Simpson and Howard Williamson, Juan was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1927. She married Clyffard L. Brunson (1927-2001) in 1949, welcoming three children during their five decade long marriage. Juan and Cliff moved frequently for his job with Oldsmobile, but Juan always found something to keep herself occupied, regardless of the state they lived in. She served as a school crossing guard, volunteered with school PTAs, took painting lessons, sewed, and served as a special events police officer, to name a few of her extracurricular activities.

Juan and Cliff moved from Lansing, Michigan to Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1987. Ever the artist, Juan started her own arts and crafts business, Juan’s Whimsies, selling her one-of-kind hot air balloon mobiles and small, festively-dress stuffed critters from Maryland down to Georgia. At the height of her crafting business, Juan sold at 26 craft shows a year. She also started a Charms group and was involved with at least two different quilting groups, being a charter member of the York County Quilters Guild. When she was not making and selling her creations, Juan and Cliff traveled the world, visiting over 20 countries including China, Malta, and Australia. Juan was an active member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Rock Hill, SC, starting the church’s nursery program in the early 1990s. She relocated to Florida in 2020 to be closer to her son. While living in Florida, Juan attended weekly services at St. Joseph’s Church in Boynton Beach.

Juan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clyffard. She is survived by her daughters D.E.B Potter-Petz (Robert Petz) and Brooke Matthews (Steven), son Michael H. Brunson (Leo Jeronimo), granddaughters Jillian Bingham (Malcolm) and Casey Splittorf (Michael), grandson Garrett Matthews, and two great-grandchildren. A small memorial service will be held at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach, Florida on April 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM. A larger memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Rock Hill, South Carolina at a later date. Juan will be returned to nature in the Rock Hill church's Smyth Garden, finally rejoining her late husband.