Bernice Johnson

Bernice (Clark) Johnson, age 85, of Flossmoor, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2026, at Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields, Illinois.

Bernice was born on November 9, 1940, in Kilmichael, Mississippi, to Ora James Clark and Ola Mae (Bennett) Clark. As the oldest of nine children, she spent her early years looking after — and occasionally roughing up — her younger brothers before her five baby sisters came along. Her father affectionately nicknamed her “Jack,” a name that reflected her spirited personality and strength.

Bernice began her teaching career in McComb, Mississippi, where she met the love of her life, Vernell Johnson Jr. The two were married on August 8, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois, and shared a loving marriage of sixty years filled with family, faith, travel, and service.

A lifelong educator, Bernice dedicated nearly fifty years to teaching and supporting students. She earned her undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University in 1962, where she also became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., beginning a lifelong love for the color red and a commitment to scholarship and service. Throughout her career, Bernice pursued professional growth and leadership development, ultimately earning her master’s degree in 2003.

Bernice spent the majority of her career with Chicago Public Schools, where she served for 27 years as a homebound teacher and later as an assistant principal at Jesse Spalding High School. She was especially passionate about supporting students with special needs and ensuring every child had access to a quality education. She also spent seven years teaching middle school social studies in El Paso, Texas. After returning to the Chicago area, she concluded her teaching career in Hazel Crest with Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144, where she taught until 2004 and continued working in administration for several additional years before retiring.

Beyond her career, Bernice was a woman of remarkable creativity and skill. She was an extraordinary seamstress and maintained a dedicated sewing space in every home she lived in. She upholstered chairs and sofas, made curtains, and designed and created many of her own clothes. More importantly, she used her talents to enhance some of life’s most meaningful moments. From designing dresses for her children’s weddings to creating outfits for school dances, cotillions, and imaginative Halloween costumes, Bernice brought beauty, care, and a personal touch to every special occasion. She also lovingly sewed dancing dolls for her children—treasured keepsakes that remain with the family to this day.

Bernice and her husband also shared a love of travel and adventure. Together they explored the country in their motorhome, instilling in their children a love of travel and the ambition to visit all 50 states. She proudly embraced life on the open road as an early member of the Family Motor Coach Association.

Faith was an important part of Bernice’s life. She was a devoted member of Calvary United Protestant Church in Park Forest since 1977. During her many years of membership, she served on the church session, proudly participated in the choir, helped with Vacation Bible School, and she supported and attended the church camps in Michigan.

Bernice is survived by her loving children: Vernice (Michael) Warren, Vernell III (Anita) Johnson, and Verlon (Sean) Johnson. She was a proud grandmother to Vernon (Ebony) Johnson, Darius Johnson, Avery (Geneva) Johnson, Michelle Warren, Mikayla Warren, Vernell Johnson IV, Carrington Johnson, Troy Johnson, and Addy Johnson; and great-grandmother to Elin Johnson. She is also survived by her siblings Annie Hudson (Troy), Rosie Walker (Willie), Glorious Alexander (Robert), and Vera Liddell; sister-in-laws Laverne Tobias and Daisy Clark; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty years, Vernell Johnson Jr.; her parents, Ora James Clark and Ola Mae (Bennett) Clark; and her siblings Bill Clark, David Clark, Willie Clark, and Augusta Clark.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Bernice’s life at Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Drive, Park Forest, Illinois, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 PM. Interment will be private.