Velma Ree Collins Johnson, age 85, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born July 6, 1940 in Horry County, she was the daughter of the late Luther B. and Eitha G. Collins of Cool Springs, SC. Velma was a member of Brown Swamp Methodist Church, where she served in the Women's Group Ministry. She was a former member of the Pilot Club and was a recipient of the Horry County Conservationist Award. Velma worked for AVX for 10 years and then retired from the Horry County Public Defenders Office after 21 years. Her true passion was spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who she adored immensely. Velma was a fun, loving spirit and she brought a true joy to all who knew her and her absence leaves a deep ache. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Along with her parents, Velma is predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Samuel "Sam" L. Johnson; a sister, Margie Barnhill Rabon; and a daughter-in-law, Susan Fox Johnson. She leaves behind her three wonderful children who she loved dearly, Samuel "Sammy" L. Johnson, Jr. (Renita), Pansy J. Cooper (David), and Nina J. Singleton (Danny), all of Aynor; her foreign exchange student from Brazil (who was like a son), Luis Flavio Furtado Ribeiro (Marina), and their daughter, Giovanna; seven grandchildren, Samuel "Sam" L. Johnson, III (Amy), Scott A. Johnson (Amanda), Dr. Matthew "Matt" D. Cooper (Danielle), Caleb M. Cooper (Catherine), Lorinda S. Chestnut (Caid), Tiffany S. Lerner, Katie V. Singleton (Joel); fifteen great grandchildren, Austin Johnson (Kourtney), Carson Johnson (Lauren), Jacob Johnson (Piper), Wyatt Johnson, Emory Johnson, Briana Bellamy (Bradley), Sydney Forney, Mattison "Matti" Cooper, Molly Cooper, Macy Cooper, Cooper Chestnut, Natalyn Chestnut, Raelyn Lerner, Case Orton, and a little girl, Hadleigh Orton, on the way; two great great grandchildren, AJ Johnson and Henry Bellamy; and a sister, Shirley Register (Kenny). Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Brown Swamp Global Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Johnson, Pastor David Wehrle and Davin Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the
Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Please sign the online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Published by Post and Courier - Myrtle Beach from Aug. 18 to Aug. 19, 2025.