Nita Fowler

Evelyn Juanita "Nita" Fowler, of Kalamazoo, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the age of 97. Nita was born on March 26, 1926 in South Boston, VA where she grew up.

Nita played tennis throughout her growing up years with her older sister, Agnes, and brother, William “Butch” Snead, Jr. Tennis became one of Nita’s life-long passions, both playing and watching. In high school, Nita continued with her love of sports as the point guard on the basketball team, and she later became an enthusiastic Detroit Pistons fan.

She met her husband, Dick Fowler, the love of her life, at a local swimming pool in Richmond, VA when she was 19, and they married a year later in 1946. Nita’s parents did not approve, thinking she was too young for the tall, older soldier with the dashing good looks. So her brother signed the necessary papers as her father, William Snead, conveniently leaving off the “Jr.” from his own name. Nita and Dick were married for 69 years. Nita often remarked, “Every day was a love affair with Dick.”

Nita and Dick settled in the Detroit area, where they had their daughter, Jann. Nita and her family moved to South America with Dick’s job at Ford, and they lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valencia, Venezuela. 

After returning to the U.S., the family settled in Dearborn, where Nita began working at the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village. She started as a candle maker and worked her way up to Interpreter Guide, giving VIP tours. Her favorite tours, however, were with her granddaughter, Emily.

In retirement, Nita and Dick had the time of their lives taking many cruises and traveling to visit Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and re-visiting South America.

Nita and Dick moved to Kalamazoo in 2003. Following Dick’s passing in 2015, Nita moved to Friendship Village with her cat, Honey Bun, the last in a long succession of beloved cats that gave Nita great joy.

Nita is survived by her daughter, Jann Fowler-Cornfeld; son-in-law, Jim Cornfeld; granddaughter, Emily Clayton; grandson-in-law, Jim Clayton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a memorial service in the Kiva at Friendship Village, 1400 North Drake Rd., Kalamazoo at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 7.

Those who wish to remember Nita in a special way, may make gifts in her memory to The Henry Ford - Greenfield Village.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Nita's guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with her family.

The Fowler family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269) 679-5622.