Berlie Johnson

JOHNSON, BERLIE MAE, 95 of Orlando, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2013 at Quality Healthcare. Berlie Mae was born November 4, 1918 in Darlington, Florida. She moved to Cocoa, Florida in 1933 1934. The eldest daughter of nine children, she learned about hard work and responsibility at an early age, by helping care for her younger siblings. This acquired work ethic was maintained throughout her life, in the way she kept her household running smoothly.

Berlie Mae was a great southern cook and enjoyed providing food for family gatherings. Her chicken and dumplings, cornbread dressing, sweet potato, pecan and lemon meringue pies were heavenly. She canned homegrown vegetables and made guava jellies and always made sure there was enough to share with her family and friends.

Berlie Mae had a greenthumb that showed in her flower beds and hanging baskets. She loved roses, zinnias, marigolds and azaleas. Her daughter always told everyone that Mom could root a fence post. Everything nourished under her care.

She was an expert at sewing, embroidery and making quilts.

Berlie Mae with her outgoing personality was a beautiful, loving, kind and caring woman who adored her family. She was fastidious about her cooking, home and appearance and was a stylish lady. She and her husband had just celebrated 77 years of marriage on October 4. 2013. They were married in the Courthouse at Titusville, Florida.

In the last five years of her life, Berlie Mae was confined to a wheelchair and suffered from dementia. Most of the time, she lived in the mind of her past childhood, always looking for her older brothers, especially Chester. Sadly, she started calling her husband Chester. Every day, she said she was going home.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jessie James Spears and Virginia Emma Griggs Spears, brothers Tyson, Chester, Carliss, Nathan, Walter and Bud Spears. She is survived by her husband, Charles Dealon Johnson and daughter and soninlaw, Jo Ann Johnson Utley and E. J. Utley, sister and brotherinlaw, Wynell Halford and J. R. Halford, sister Mildred Randall and many nieces.

Funeral Services for Berlie Mae will be held Graveside on Friday, December 13 at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida. The viewing will be Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 7:00 PM at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1148 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, Florida who have been entrusted with the arrangements.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Jo Ann Moody and Sheryl Grantham for all their love and support shown to Berlie. Special thanks goes to all the friendly, kind, caring nurses and aides at Quality Healthcare, especially Jen, Lisa and Terri and many thanks to all the kind and loving people at Vitas Hospice Team 1711.