Genevieve Johnson

A Woman with many “Words”

Genevieve Johnson, 85, of Punta Gorda, FL transitioned to glory on January 14, 2022. She laid side by side with her beloved husband of 59 years, Bernard, where he transitioned 19 hours earlier.

Genevieve was born July 26, 1936, to Clarence and Edith Larry in Ormond Beach, FL. She was proud of her heritage and strict upbringing in the church. Her father served as a Deacon and her mother a pianist in an all-black church in Buffalo, NY. Genevieve attended a vocational high school instead of a conventional high school, where she studied art. Two weeks after graduating in 1954, she began her career at L.L. Berger’s, a high-end department store based in Buffalo where she was employed as the company’s first African American Fashion Artist.

Genevieve praises the Lord for providing her with the artistic skills needed to begin her career with a company where talent was recognized above race. She worked at L.L. Berger’s and several other fashion department stores over the course of 10-12 years, eventually striking out on her own to pursue a career as an independent sales representative for Home Interiors and Gifts.

Genevieve married Bernard in 1962 and together they raised five children. She was an avid bowler, receiving her fair share of a $12,000 first-place prize in one of the women’s tournaments in which participated. She was also selected to be a contestant on a popular 70’s game show, “Bowling for Dollars.” Genevieve had a way with words and enjoyed Cryptoquip, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and Wheel of Fortune. For those that knew her, no one could plan anything before her treasured Wheel of Fortune had aired for the day.

Truly a woman before her time, Genevieve was an amazing Sister in Christ, serving as a Women’s Sunday School Teacher and Youth Ministry Director for many years at Pleasant Grove Church in Buffalo, NY. She adored directing and creating props for plays involving youth. She continued serving after relocating to Florida as a Women’s Group Leader, Sunday School, and Art Teacher at First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte. She was also a longstanding member of the choir. Genevieve was loved by all that knew her and will be missed.

Genevieve will be deeply missed by her daughter Regina (Terry) Williams; sons Laurence Johnson, Bernard Johnson Jr., and Darryl (Donna) Johnson; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Edith, daughter Duane E. Hesson, and sister Janet Meadows.