Verna Johnson

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Verna Imogene (Sill) Johnson, age 95 years and three days, entered the land of peace and rest of her Heavenly Father on September 10, 2015. She passed away at home surrounded by family and friends after a short illness.

Verna was the second child of seven children born to Dewey H. and Ethel (Hayes) Sill in rural Jasper County at East Hollow (near Bell Center), Missouri on September 7, 1920, at the home of her grandparents, Joseph and Estella Hayes. The family lived in Baxter Springs, Kansas until 1925 when the family moved to the Sill Farm west of Joplin.

Verna started her education at Lowell School near her home. She graduated from Joplin High School with the Class of 1938 with Honors and after graduation attended Joplin Junior College for one year.

Verna married William B. “Bill” Johnson on June 1, 1940 in Neosho, Missouri. During the three years Bill served in New Guinea during WWII Verna returned home to live with her family and help on the farm. After Bill returned home, they moved to the home on Peace Church Road. Verna quit her job as Head Cashier at First State Bank to help Bill start his own business- Johnson Floor Service. When Bill passed away on March 8, 1981, she continued the business with the help of her brother-in-law H.C. Johnson.

On September 6, 1952 Verna and Bill had a daughter, Eileen Marie. Eileen’s childhood is filled with memories of Verna singing in the kitchen, baking sugar cookies and the best memory of all was when the monthly issue of “Jack and Jill” arrived. They would snuggle in the chair while Mom read the magazine cover to cover no matter what was happening. Verna believed in the value of education and home was always filled with books, encyclopedias, books of poetry and maps of exotic places in the world.

Verna was a wonderful mom. She was a Girl Scout Leader, drove to twirling and dancing lessons and provided unconditional love no matter the situation. In 1967 Verna returned to the work place. She earned her real estate license and broker’s license. In 1970 she started a 29 year tenure with Dick Ruestman Construction as a bookkeeper. Even a stroke in 1993 only kept her out of the office for two weeks.

Verna was civic minded and always tried to help in the neighborhood. When a group was planning a rural water district Verna was asked by Larry Cole to assist in acquiring easement rights in western Jasper County for the water lines. Evenings and weekends found Verna calling and meeting with her neighbors to explain the importance of reliable water service. Verna also worked with Cory Meeker Fund in the late 1960’s. The Cory Meeker Fund provided transportation monies for children with orthopedic challenges to travel to hospitals in St. Louis and Kansas City for treatment.

Verna was a 60 year member of Electa Chapter No. 111, Oronogo, Missouri Order of the Eastern Star. She held many offices in her chapter and within the state. She was chapter Secretary for over thirty years and held this office at the time of her death. Verna was a past member of the American Business Women’s Association, only quitting when night driving became a challenge. But first and foremost, Verna loved her family. She was a devoted caregiver to her grandmother (Estella), parents, husband, sisters and daughter. Verna was a wealth of information on family history and even after she was ill, Verna and Eileen enjoyed short trips to research family genealogy.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, and brothers; Loyd D. Sill and his wife, Patricia of Webb City, Missouri and Floyd (Joe) Sill and his wife, Billye of Joplin, Missouri, two brothers-in-law; Eldon Howard and Bob Kersey both of Joplin, Missouri, and two sisters; Vera Perkins and her husband John, and Lorena Endicott and her husband Bob.

She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Johnson with friend Sidney Lorah, and two sisters; Levita Kersey and Flo Howard both of Joplin, Missouri.

Eileen would like to thank the many people who have assisted in Verna’s care. She was able to stay at home thanks to caregivers, Joyce, Linda and Bob. Only in the final weeks did she consent to a visiting nurse. Eileen would like to thank Jo Vaughn for providing compassionate and cheerful nursing care. To the friends and family who visited and brought a smile and laugh thank you. To Rayma who would watch the Cardinals play and provide commentary for mom. To her niece Janice who came every Friday to visit and knew how much she liked fudge. Even when Mom had difficulty watching TV she wanted to know how the Missouri Boys were driving in NASCAR. She always wanted them to win.

To my Mama: I will miss you. Every morning I would greet you and open the shades for the sunshine to fall across the bed, and every night before you went to sleep you would sing “have I told you lately that I love you, have I told you lately that I care”. You were never a burden. I cared for you out of love, never obligation. I will miss you. I will miss my friend. Love, Eileen.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary Chapel with Dan Hathcock and Minister Johnie Adkins officiating. Interment will follow at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Eastern Star services will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. Monday at the mortuary with visitation following until 8:00 p.m.

Those gentleman honoring Verna’s life by serving as pallbearers will be; Mark Kersey, John Howard, Brad Howard, Joe T. Sill, Michael Garcia and Dale Sill.