Bernice Lavern Johnson

Bernice Laverne Shaw Johnson was born on January 18, 1930, in Falls County, Texas. She was the youngest of 15 children born to the union of Carolina “Cal” Shaw and Viola Thomas Shaw. Bernice accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and worshipped with her family at Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church in Marlin, Texas.
Bernice graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin where she served as the senior class historian. She was gifted and earned an academic scholarship to attend Tillotson College, now Huston-Tillotson University an HBCU in Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, due to ill and aging parents, she was unable to pursue her college dreams. Instead, as a dedicated and loving daughter, Bernice moved to Ft. Worth, Texas and obtained employment to contribute to the care of her parents.
On December 1, 1952, in the Lake Como community of Ft. Worth, Texas, in the home of her sister Lillie Mae Hatcher, Bernice married her high school sweetheart, James M. Johnson, Sr. Two days later, the couple traveled by train to a new life in California. Upon arrival in Tulare, the couple united with Brooks Chapel A.M.E. Church where they remained members until the end.
When her husband attended college on the G.I. Bill, Bernice completed all of his homework assignments, term papers and helped him study for exams. She often said God made a way for her to become a college student after all.
Bernice was a homemaker and when her children were in school, she served on the P.T.A., was a Room Mother, assisted with the Cub Scout troops, and volunteered for UNICEF. She enjoyed gardening, sports, traveling with the senior citizens and attending all events and extracurricular activities in which her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated. Bernice supported many of the ministries at her church, especially those involving the youth. In 2017, she was recognized by Rev. George S. Mason IV, and the men of Brooks Chapel A.M.E. Church for being an Outstanding Mother and the Oldest Mother in the church.
Because Bernice lived so far from her family, she appreciated the years of kindness and friendship she received from her husband’s cousins; the late Nettie Hailey Washington and Zettie Hailey Johnson as well as her longtime neighbor, the late Edna Meitzenheimer Williams.
The walls and tabletops of her home were filled with photos of her wedding, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents and siblings. A true reflection of what Bernice held most dear, her family. Bernice enjoyed having the entire family at her home for holiday and birthday celebrations filled with food, fun and laughter.
Bernice passed from earth to eternity on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, James M. Johnson, Sr., parents, Carolina and Viola Shaw; siblings, Willie Mae Shaw, Matthew Shaw, Carolina Shaw, Jr., Earthly Shaw, Idel Shaw, Cedel McMiller, Bertha Williams, Emma Evans, Lillie Mae Hatcher, Annie Shaw, Bennie Lee Releford, Oletha Collins and Jessie Dary; grandparents Harvey and Eliza Shaw, Sandy and Millie (Anderson) Thomas.
Those left to cherish her memory and await reunion on the other side are her three loving children, James M. Johnson, Jr., (Wanda), Sharon J. Styles and Marvin C. Johnson; three devoted grandchildren, Darcy L. Johnson (Amy), Deidra J. Nelson (Doug-deceased) and James M. Johnson III (Christina); ten cherished great-granddaughters Jasmine Johnson, Janessa Johnson, Jesalyn Johnson, Janelle Johnson, Taylor Nelson, Jaelyn Nelson, Sierra Nelson, Jayda Johnson, Jenesis Johnson and Asiah Johnson; and one great-great grandson, Jordan D. Ruvalcaba. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, including a dear niece, Jacquelyn Dary.