Dateline: September 7, 2006

Vera Venita Oakley Johnson, 89, died September 2, 2006, in Clarendon.

Services were at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2006, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, Pastor, Rev. Bill Hodges, Pastor of the Clarendon Church of the Nazarene, and Rev. Qunifred Oakley, family member, officiating. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Johnson was born February 26, 1917, in Hedley, Texas, to Charlie C. and Lela Johnson Oakley, and had been a resident of Donley County most of her life, She married Curtis Alvy “Penny” Johnson on October 7, 1934 at Clarendon. She had worked at Parker-Perkins Variety Store, as the activities director at Medical Center Nursing Home, and at Barbara’s Fabric Shop all in Clarendon prior to her retirement. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she was known as “Mrs. Baptist” because of her involvement in church activities. She served as the Junior Dept. Superintendent for 31 years, had taught the Adult Sunday School Class, was the Sunbeams leader, served as the prayer chairman of the WMU, served as director of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering project, and taught in Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge.

Mrs. Johnson is preceded in death by her parents; her husband on March 31, 1975; a son, Owen Johnson; two sisters, Agnes Oakley and Onnie Oakley Collins; and a brother, Arthur Oakley.

Survivors include two daughters, Beth Johnston and husband Ernie of Clarendon, Charlene Mays and husband Lloyd of Clarendon; one son, Mike Johnson and wife Cliftie of Clarendon; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Casket bearers were her grandsons and great grandsons.

The family requests that memorials be to the First Baptist Church in Clarendon or a favorite charity.