Bernadette Johnson

Life and Legacy of Reverend Bernadette Johnson
It is with great joy that we celebrate the life and legacy of a true warrior of God, our matriarch Reverend Bernadette Johnson. Bernadette Johnson was born on May 26, 1949, to parents Clarence and Audrey Slocum in McCloud, CA. Bernadette always reminisced about her love of the scenery in McCloud, highlighting the lush trees, beautiful mountains, and simplistic lifestyle. During her adolescent years, she along with her siblings Joy Slocum, Charles Slocum, and mother Audrey came to live in Fresno, CA. She was also reunited with her sister Donis Henry. Bernadette attended Irwin Middle School and Edison High School located in West Fresno. Prior to completing high school, Bernadette met and married her first husband, Herman Myers. As a result of their union, Bernadette gave birth to three beautiful daughters in Sacramento, CA. Her first born child was Gretchen Myers, followed by Brenda Myers and Sabrina Myers. After several years, Bernadette then met and married her second husband James Clark. She gave birth to her son, Brian Clark in Sacramento, CA. Bernadette would often speak fondly of her time in Sacramento. She regularly shared happy memories of her time there with her children.
Bernadette would return to Fresno, with her children in the mid 1970's. She began training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Once she completed this training, she obtained her first nursing position at Valley Care and Guidance. For over a decade, she cared for hundreds of elderly patients. Bernadette always exuded a bedside manner that allowed her patients to live with dignity and feel respected. She continued working in the CNA field, a labor of love for years.
Bernadette was always a fun and outgoing person! She enjoyed a myriad of pastimes which included yoga, belly dancing, fishing, and gardening. She truly excelled in ceramics, crocheting, sewing (often creating beautiful clothing from patterns and from scratch), and her love for music was unparalleled! Boy could she dance! She had a zest for life and was certainly fun to be around!
Bernadette was a true intellectual! She always placed a great deal of importance on education with her children. She emphasized academic excellence and made a point to celebrate the educational achievements of her children. After ensuring that her oldest daughters completed high school, Bernadette was determined to complete her high school diploma before her youngest child graduated. She worked diligently to earn her high school diploma from Bullard High School as part of the Restart program. Soon after achieving this milestone, Bernadette decided to open up her home and extend motherly love to three more children. Raymond Jimenez, Erica Jimenez, and Priscilla Jimenez entered the family and experienced the love, support, and caring that a mother gives freely.
A devout Christian woman, Bernadette loved being a servant of God! Her faith was cultivated over the course of her lifetime. She regularly attended church, following the lead of her grandmother Brook Lee Stark (Big Mama) and her mother Audrey Parrish. She held various positions with the church such as: an usher, singing in the choir, directing the choir, being a stewardess, and feeding parishioners, to name but a few of her duties she took great pride in. She was truly dedicated to serving the Lord! As a longtime member of St. John's Undenominational Church, Bernadette would travel throughout the city and state worshipping and praising God!
She met her husband Willie Johnson, an organist and piano player while singing in the choir. The two were married and cared for each other deeply. They attended church and could regularly be found singing the praises of God, together. Bernadette achieved a reputation as a remarkable prayer warrior. She was always called upon by family, friends, and even strangers in search of prayer. She didn't hesitate to accommodate those prayer requests! Bernadette decided to extend her knowledge of the bible by pursuing post secondary degrees in Theology and Divinity. She achieved up to a Masters degree in Divinity, earning the title of Reverend Bernadette Johnson. Her family and friends are extremely proud of her accomplishments.
Bernadette has gone to be with the LORD and is no longer in pain! She will hear the words, "Servant, well done!"
She leaves behind a legacy of faith, strength, character, resilience, and Familial LOVE that is ubiquitous!
She is preceded in death by her parents Audrey and Clarence, step-father Bob Parrish, brother Charles Slocum, and husband Willie Johnson.
Bernadette is survived by her children: daughters Gretchen Myers, Brenda Armstrong, Sabrina Christopher, and son Dr. Brian Clark. As well as Raymond Jimenez, Erica Jimenez, Priscilla Jimenez and step-daughter Angela Johnson; Her sisters, Dee Henry and Joy Armbrister. She leaves memories of love and caring to her 26 grandchildren: Crystal Miller, Jared Richardson, Angie Spivey, Darrell Myers, Jonathan Richardson, Clifford Spivey, Breanna Clark, Kaitlyn Richardson, Kimber Richardson, Charisma Clark, Brian Clark II, Ekena Hill, Kion Clark, Orion Clark as well as Ben Butler, Preston Gatlin, Jessiah Jones, Zanari Thomas, Janiyah Jones, Zayah Thomas, Paris Thomas, London Brown, AJ Thomas, Khalil King, Skylar Jimenez, and Leanna Jimenez. Moreover, her 25 great- grandchildren, with several on the way, will ensure that our family will continue to thrive and endure. She's lived a fruitful life and the Lord has certainly blessed our family!
We want to thank all family and friends for the prayers, love and genuine concern that has been extended to our matriarch. May GOD bless you all!
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