Obituary of Bernice Johnson

Bernice Johnson was born in 1929 in Detroit, MI to the late William Ovid and his wife Dora Lee Pruitt. She was the third child from that union, after two sisters Ruby and Louise and before her brother William Darrell Ovid. Bernice went home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2012, following more than a year of compassionate care and attention in the White House Nursing Home in Orange, NJ. Bernice was educated in the Detroit Public School system, and attended New York University where she graduated with a BA in Education. She also attended Jersey City State University and obtained a Master's degree in Special Education. Pursuing higher education was extremely important to Bernice, who went on to obtain a second Master's degree in Elementary and Secondary Education from Montclair State University. Throughout her career, she concentrated on the education of children with special needs, teaching for 31 years at Memorial P.S. 11 in Passaic, NJ before her retirement in 1997, and for the following 12 years for Essex Regional Educational Services Commission. Bernice met and married Norman Marvin Johnson during undergraduate studies, and was blessed with children Towanda and Arancia. Later, she met and formed a long relationship with Dave Fantini. Bea, as she was affectionately called loved life and education. Be was an educator's educator. Her passion and interests were devoted to special needs children. She lived her life to the fullest, quite a sophisticated, charming, impeccable dresser and an extremely stylish vibrant, vivacious lady. A well mannered lady in every aspect of the word. Smooth and rather cool. Oh, soooo unassuming. Exquisite taste. Bernice loved reading, tennis, and yoga, traveling, learning about healthy lifestyles, fine dining, dancing, theater and art. For many years, she was actively involved in Unity Church in Teaneck, NJ. Bernice is survived by her daughters, Arancia Johnson and Towanda Beatty and husband Bill Cornish, one grandson Osei Ovid Beatty and his wife Vivian and children, her sister Ruby Elizabeth Donaldson and her brother William Darrell Ovid and wife Gwen, Aunt Eddie Lou Jamison, cousin Rita and husband Adolph Brooks, honorary daughter Carol Allen, Dave Fantini, special friend Clem Artist, and a host of nieces and nephews in her universe of family members and friends.