LaVerna Johnson

LaVerna A. Johnson, 93, long-time resident of Miami, Oklahoma, passed away December 7, 2013, at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. after a short illness. She had resided at Eastwood Manor, in Commerce, Oklahoma for the last 10 months. LaVerna was born July 27, 1920, in Shickley, Nebraska, the second of four daughters, to Henry and Johanna Berkbigler. She graduated from Geneva, Nebraska high School with the class of 1938. After passing her Civil Service Exam, she moved to Washington D.C. and began work as a clerk typist with the War Production Board. While living in D.C., she met Homer Johnson, a U.S. army soldier from Fairland, OK, at a USO dance. They were married at the rectory of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church in D.C on January 23, 1943. They were man and wife for 59 years before Homer’s death in March of 2002. Following his deployment from D.C. to overseas duty during WWII, LaVerna returned to her home in Nebraska where their first daughter, Verna June, was born. When Homer returned to the states, the family moved to Oklahoma and soon settled in Miami, where their second daughter, Virginia Ann, was born, and where they made their home for the rest of their lives. After starting in a clerk-steno position at B.F. Goodrich in 1952, LaVerna became secretary of the Industrial Engineers Department of B.G. Goodrich, where she worked until her retirement in 1985 after 33 years with the company. LaVerna was baptized into the First Christian Church of Miami in 1951 and was always active in her church and in the Martin Sunday School Class. She loved to sing and was a member of the church choir for almost 40 years. LaVerna was a talented seamstress, an avid fisherman, and a bowler who served for many years as secretary of the Women’s League and representative to many national bowling conferences. After retirement from B.F. Goodrich, she took up golf with her husband and with the Ladies League at the Miami Country Club. She learned to play bridge and spent many enjoyable hours playing with friends at the Country Club and at the Miami Senior Citizens’ Center. Most of all, LaVerna cherished her family—her daughters and grandchildren, their spouses, and her six great-grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate with them and to participate in the activities of their lives. LaVerna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and by two sisters. She is survived by her sister, Helen Gray of Carmi, Illinois, her two daughters and their husbands June and Robert Taylor of Miami, and Virginia and Clarence Dawson of Joplin, Missouri; five grandchildren Joby Taylor and wife Beth of Baltimore Maryland, Rob Taylor and wife Annette, Laurie Martin and husband Tim, all of Joplin, , Todd Schnakenberg and wife Jennifer of Cedar Park, Texas, and Corey Burris of Miami; six great grandchildren Christopher, Brendyn, and Nathan Taylor of Joplin, Isabel and Katherine Taylor of Baltimore, Maryland, and Karaline Schnakenberg of Cedar Park, Texas, plus several nieces and nephews and their children. She is also survived by her devoted cocker spaniel, Dewey. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 11, at the First Christian Church of Miami with Minister Leon Weece officiating. Interment will be in GAR cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in LaVerna’s name to the First Christian Church Youth Ministry or the Animal Welfare Society on E. Central in Miami. Family and Friends may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing LaVerna’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

LaVerna Johnson

July 27, 1920 - December 7, 2013