Vernita Joyce Johnson

Vernita Joyce Johnson, 68, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away April 26, 2016 at her home. She was born January 13, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the first of seven children from the union of Leon Adkins Sr. and Ruth Onita Pitts. At around two years of age, Vernita’s family relocated to Chicago, Ill. Once in Chicago she completed her formal education and graduated from Loretto Academy. She also furthered her education by obtaining her Laboratory Technician certification. Vernita, who was known to most people by her middle name "Joyce", met her husband Alan Johnson Sr. in Chicago, where they raised their three sons, Karl Lance, Alan Jr., and Steven Craig. Their union has lasted more than 46 years. Vernita had a passion for working with children and did so throughout most of her life. She worked as a youth counselor at Altgeld/Roseland community center mentoring underprivileged youth. She diligently served as a Troop Leader for many years with the Girl Scouts. She also volunteered hours and hours of her time to the local grammar and high schools in New Mexico, where her granddaughter, Karzeta, was a student. As a laboratory technician, she worked for companies such as Wrigley’s Chewing Gum, where she would bring home giant balls of bubble gum for her children when they were young. Vernita also worked at Baxter-Travenol and Akzo-Chemie. In those positions, she tested and approved many helpful new medicines that are in use in hospitals to this day. Vernita’s passions also extended into many others areas, including poetry, arts and crafts. She was also an avid science fiction fan and not only watched the programs but also read and studied dozens of science fiction books and materials. Most people also know Vernita loved one thing more than almost anything and that was to travel. She and her husband are known as "snowbirds" or those that travel south for the winter in their RV’s. They traveled the country for more than sixteen years visiting and taking in sites and scenery from one end of this country to the other. Vernita was a very humble and kind woman who made a lasting impression on anyone she met. She had brilliance about her that you could see without her saying a word. On April 26th, 2016 the Lord called Vernita home after a long battle with sickness. One of the last things she told our family was that she loved everyone very much and for family and friends not to worry because her life had been a blast. Vernita was preceded in death by her younger sister, Marilyn. To cherish her memories are her husband, Alan Sr; her three, sons, Karl, Alan Jr, and Steven; one step daughter, Jeanna; two sisters, Karen and Michelle; three brothers, Leon Jr., Craig, and Herbert; fourteen grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren along with a host of relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be held at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home, 844 Cedar Street Poplar Bluff, Mo. The visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016, followed by funeral services at 12 (noon), in the chapel, with the Rev. Tommy Robinson officiating. Interment will be in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery. The repast will follow at Ryan's Buffett 929 Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff. Family and friends will gather after the repast at the Wheatley Historic School 921 Garfield Street, Poplar Bluff.