Gervais Dupree Johnson

Gervais Dupree Johnson

July 10, 1916 -

November 18, 2014



Shreveport, LA - Gervais Dupree Johnson passed away in the early morning on November 18, 2014 due to congestive heart failure. She was 98 years young. Born on July 10, 1916 in Martin Louisiana to William Daniel Dupree and Annie Adelene Gahagan Dupree, she was the last living of 14 children. She married Louis Anthony Williams and lived in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wilmington, North Carolina and Memphis Tennessee before returning to Shreveport in 1950. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1953. In September 1959, Gervais married Roy D .Johnson of Bunkie, Louisiana and they enjoyed 35 years together before his death in October, 1992. Roy was Chairman of the Board of Avoyelles Bank and Trust, President of the Chamber and owner of Johnson Chevrolet/Oldsmobile Company. After Roy's death, Gervais returned to Shreveport where she made her home for the past twenty years. She had two children, a son Roger L. Williams, who predeceased her, and a daughter Jerry (Gervaise) Williams McCoy who was her caregiver the last two years of her life. Jerry, now retired, was a Senior Policy Analyst with NW Regional Education Association in Portland OR for six years and former Director of Government Affairs at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder CO.

Gervais had many passions including golfing, gardening and fishing. Her greatest passion was bridge which she indulged in weekly in Bunkie and Shreveport with many friends through the years. Her second greatest passion was Beringer White Zinfandel Wine which she enjoyed until her final days. She attributes her long life to a loving family, lots of bridge with her many friends and to good genes.

Gervais was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Bunkie, was President of the Avoyelles Garden Club and a member of the Shreveport Symphony, the Shreveport Opera Guild, East Ridge Country Club, the Cambridge Club and the Women's Department Club.

Gervais was preceded in death by her parents, William and Annie Dupree; her husband, Roy D. Johnson; her son, Roger Louis Williams; her seven sisters, Barbara Dunlap of Shreveport, Doris Winner of Houston, Azile White of Shreveport, Norma Clayton of Shreveport, Zelma Howell of Coushatta, Bertie Mae Keith of Shreveport, and Viva Anderson of Coushatta; and seven brothers, Dick Dupree of Shreveport, W.D. Dupree of Shreveport, Vernon Dupree of Baton Rouge, Theron Dupree of Monroe, Wiley Dupree of Coushatta, William Bryan of Shreveport and Dr. James Gaines Dupree of Bunkie, LA. She is survived by her daughter, Gervaise (Jerry) Williams McCoy, of Boulder Co; grandson, Sean Devin McCoy, of Shreveport, LA; grandson Kevin Williams and wife, Blanca, and their two daughters, Xochil and Toonatzin, of Houston, TX; granddaughter, Tracy Williams and husband, Tony, and their daughter, Analiese, of Austin, TX; granddaughter, Dr. Kristin McCoy Djokovich and husband, Bob, and their son, Nicholas Miles, of Colorado Springs, CO; and hundreds of many wonderful nieces and nephews and their extended families.

The family wishes to thank Andrea Turks, Gervais' nurse, for the loving care and support given during her final months of life.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 401 South Lexington Avenue, Bunkie, La. on Saturday, December 6th, followed by a private interment for family at Pythian Cemetery in Bunkie. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated to the Calvary Episcopal Church.

Words of condolence can be offered online at: Osbornfuneralhome.net.

May God grant Gervais the love and comfort that she gave to so many family and friends during her life time.