Statesboro’s Juanita Deal Flake is saying so long to her salon after 68 years. She built not only a successful business but also a glowing reputation for her work ethic, kindness, and spirit of service.
Juanita Deal Flake was born on August 26, 1940, to Millie and John Randolph Deal and was raised on the family farm just south of Statesboro. Her father farmed tobacco, corn, peanuts, cotton, and hogs, and the nearest community was Denmark, home to a single dry goods store.
At an early age, Juanita and her siblings learned the value of hard work: weeding peanuts, picking cotton, and suckering, picking, and stringing tobacco — lessons that shaped her lifelong spirit of perseverance, responsibility, and service.
A graduate of Southeast Bulloch High School at 17, Juanita was drawn to two callings: nursing and cosmetology. Determined to explore both, she spent weekdays as a candy striper at the hospital while apprenticing at a beauty salon in Brooklet on weekends. After discovering her natural talent and love for hairdressing, first tested successfully on her mother, Juanita chose cosmetology, a decision she never regretted.
From beauty school to basement salon and beyond
Juanita moved to Atlanta to attend beauty school, training under a master cosmetologist while living in a women’s boarding house. After completing her training, she returned to Bulloch County to work with Christine Altman.
At 18, she married “the love of her life,” John Forrest Flake, a grocer and meat cutter who later enjoyed a 27-year career with the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Juanita married the love of her life John Forrest Flake, both 18 | Photo Provided
In 1963, the Flakes built their home on Hill Street in Statesboro (with 60 rose bushes added by Juanita and John), one of the few in the county with a full-size basement. Encouraged by Mrs. Altman, Juanita opened her own salon that same year, launching Styles by Juanita in the basement of their new home.
From 1963 until December 2025, Styles by Juanita became one of Statesboro’s most trusted and beloved salons. Juanita worked 6 days a week for many years, building a clientele that grew from fewer than 20 to well over 100. One of the hottest go-to hair salons in Statesboro, some of her first customers were Sarah Hines and Jackie Cooper.
“I loved my career choice and I loved my customers,” she shared. “It never really seemed like a job to me.”
An Olan Mills snapshot of the Flakes | Photo Provided
Her service extended well beyond her shop. Juanita faithfully styled hair for residents in local nursing homes, including Statesboro Nursing Home, Nightingale Nursing Home, and Willow Pond Senior Care (almost 30 years). She would start at 6am and finish up by noon, where she averaged around 17 customers on the appointed ‘hair day’ before returning to her salon to continue working.
Her compassion was quiet but profound, seen in moments when she offered to style a deceased client’s hair before a funeral as a “hair gift” to the family, “ensuring their loved one looked like themselves one final time,” shared Buford Brannen.
Service beyond the salon
Juanita balanced her demanding career with deep involvement in her church and community. A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro, she served as a Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout Den Mother, Sprig N’ Dig Garden Club member, and President of Beta Sigma Phi.
For many years, she and John arrived at church at 6am on Sundays to prepare breakfast and lunch for those who were shut-in due to health issues and unable to attend church.
Juanita with Maria, Dwayne, and Jeffrey | Photo Provided
Married to John Forrest Flake for 56 years until his passing in 2014, the couple enjoyed raising their 3 children, Jeffrey, Maria, and Dwayne (who have now provided a legacy of 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren!). Family life was filled with water-skiing trips to Cypress Lake, Augusta and vacations to the North Georgia mountains, where they were first able to play in the snow.
Juanita shared that her greatest accomplishment was “raising 3 well-rounded, independent children.”
Her friend Jeanmarie DeLoach said, “Juanita is one of the hardest-working people I have ever known. She gives generously to her work, her church, her family, and her friends, and remains a constant source of inspiration. I only hope, before she moves, for a private lesson on her famous fried apple tart.”
“Juanita Flake is truly a ‘jewel’ to the Statesboro community,” added Gail Watson, describing her as gracious, elegant, and deeply kind. Bonnie Howard recalled, “I especially remember her chocolate-covered cherries: they were unforgettable. It was truly a joy to have Juanita as a member of our Register Bridge Club.”
Juanita (center front) with (L-R) Joanne Henry, Gail Watson, Buford Brannen, Jeanmarie DeLoach, and Jeanie Gay at a Register Bridge Club meeting | Photo by Michele LeBlanc
Buford Brannen reflected, “Juanita joined our Register Bridge Club (now in its 63rd year) 6 years ago, and we always looked forward to her turn to host. Her refreshments were legendary. She was a wonderful hostess, an excellent bridge player, and her kindness truly knew no bounds.”
The next chapter
Now beginning the next chapter of her life in Tennessee near her daughter Maria and grandchildren, Juanita is most looking forward to spending quality time with them. After 68 years in her career, most people retire because they have had enough—this is not the case for Juanita. She will miss it.
“What I will miss most about retiring is my work, my customers, and being able to satisfy them,” Juanita shared. She recalls making each one happy about how they looked when she was done with her magic. “Each customer was more than a customer; they were friends.”
Gail Watson shared well wishes for her friend as she moves on from Statesboro and her salon, “I pray Juanita finds happiness, friends, and joyful moments. Her compassion and encouragement have left an unforgettable mark on my life.”
So long to Styles by Juanita | Photo by Michele LeBlanc
Juanita Flake’s life reflects the very best of a Southern woman: tireless in service, devoted to faith and family, and a true friend to all. Her kindness extended far beyond the ‘salon chair’ through quiet acts of service and a heart devoted to her community, inspiring all who knew her.
Congratulations, Juanita, on a life beautifully lived and a retirement richly deserved. You will be missed in Statesboro!
