Portrait of Juanita Bowles Blackburn

The late Juanita Bowles Blackburn was a career educator whose tenure spanned more than 40 years, with more than half of her career teaching in the Forney school system. In her 23 years at Forney ISD, Blackburn taught grades one through three and later high school drama.

A descendant of one of the original settlers to Forney, Mrs. Blackburn’s roots run deep. Her great-grandfather, Harry Bowles, settled in Forney in the 1850’s. She was born five miles north of Forney on September 21, 1910 and lived here most of her life. She’s a 1929 graduate of Forney High School and was the wife of the late M. C. Blackburn, a former Forney mayor.

In 1935 she graduated from the University North Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech and a teaching certificate in all levels. In 1957, she received her Master of Education degree from Southern Methodist University. Mrs. Blackburn loved to teach in and out of the classroom, and many people in Forney fondly remember her as their teacher.

We, at Blackburn Elementary School, are honored that our school carries the name of such a dedicated educator. Our students have the opportunity to honor her memory through excellence in academics and character.

“Blackburn Elementary is committed to the belief that each student can and will learn to his or her fullest potential. This will be accomplished through positive cooperative efforts of the parents and faculty.”

Source:
https://webapps.forneyisd.net/forney/newspost2/asp/newsposting.asp?id=1452
(Posting Date: 5/7/2007)