(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights lead clerk Juanita Bolton Stovall of the City of Columbia Water Department.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Hattiesburg on Sept. 30, 1981.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I attended Columbia High School and Jackson State University.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: I grew up and lived in Columbia all my life.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I am the lead water clerk/supervisor for the City of Columbia Water Department. I reside over all the water billing, making sure the bills are done on time and correctly and making sure the other ladies are taking payments correctly.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: Honestly, there was nothing that led me to this profession. I kind of just stumbled into it, and it’s comfortable for me because I’m good with numbers.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Getting to see, meet and talk to new people every day. I like people and get to talk to people all day every day. That’s my favorite thing about it. It has absolutely nothing to do with the work. I like being in the public.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I was a cashier at Winn-Dixie.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My mother, Linda Bolton. Just watching her be the strong person that she was, it makes me want to be better. It made me push and go a little bit further.
Q: If you could relive one day from your life, what day would you choose?
A: If I could relive any day of my life, it would be my mother’s birthday three years ago because we had her a surprise birthday party. I would get to see that face again.
Q: What is your spouse’s name? What does he do for a living?
A: Hyman Stovall. He’s a forester for Weyerhaeuser.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: We have one on the way. It’s a boy and he should be arriving in about four weeks. We’re going to name him Asher Christopher Stovall.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: It would probably be a pizza with chicken, bacon, spinach and alfredo sauce.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would like to go to Niagra Falls. I would love to see it. I have this thing with waterfalls. I’ve never actually seen one in person, but I love to see them on TV so it’s something I would love to experience.
Q: What hobbies/activities do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I Bible journal a lot, and I paint.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living and working in Columbia and Marion County?
A: The hometown feel. It’s just home, that’s what I love about it. For me, I can walk right down the street to my auntie’s house. It’s home.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My mother because I miss her very much.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I would like to be remembered as a person that always did what was right and wasn’t a pushover.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: When I joined our church, John the Baptist Missionary Baptist Church with pastor Calvin Newsom. I feel like that’s when I became a better person. I was able to grow a lot once I actually knew I was giving my life to Christ. As a child, you go to church because your mommy and daddy tell you to. As an adult, when I gave my life to Christ that’s when my life was impacted the most.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: I would rather watch a really good movie because I love to see the action. I’m an action Sci-Fi person.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Juanita Bolton Stovall is the lead clerk at the City of Columbia Water Department and is expecting her first child. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
