Bohannon was born in New Castle, Henry County, Kentucky, USA, on 14 March 1910, as the youngest of ten children born to Ollie Jackson and Olivia “Levia” Roberts. After her mother’s death in 1920, her father married Margaret “Maggie” Minor Scott, and she gained seven stepsiblings and, eventually, five half siblings.

Bohannon attended public school in New Castle, where she met her husband, Buford Bohannon. The couple got married in 1926 and immediately moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where her new sisters-in-law lived. The couple had three children: Clarence, Lillian and Buford. She worked as a seamstress and created tailored suits and furs.

Her husband died of cancer in 1980. She was a long-time member of Bethel AME Church in Indianapolis, where she has been involved with the Mary Campbell Missionary Society and the Birthday Club.

Bohannon passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, on 5 July 2021, at the age of 111.