Lavernia "Smokey" Johnson (Beets)
November 5, 1927 — February 11, 2008
Lavernia “Smokey” Johnson, 80, of 2645 Hunter’s Ridge Road, Marion, Iowa, died Monday, February 11, 2008, in her home following a long illness. Services: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2008, at Word of Faith Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Wendell Beets. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2008, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids and from 11 to 1 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the church. Burial: 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.
Survivors include her children, Beatrix (Harlen) Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, Bennie Wilson, Larry Wilson and Chylinda Pritchett of Chicago, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Reginald Caesar, Roshunda Caesar and Ryan Caesar all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marquita Barton of Denver, Colorado, Summer (Dr. Henry) Frazier of Brooklyn, New York, Magale Caesar of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Demetrius Wilson of Denver, Colorado, Lakeelah Wilson of Cedar Rapids and Donovan Roper of Chicago; 17 great grandchildren; one sister, Alvernia Franklin of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Colbert “Billy” (Sandy) Beets of Cedar Rapids and Rev. Wendell (Lenore) Beets of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Rev. Mary Beets of the Cedar Rapids Gospel Tabernacle Church; and a host of nieces, nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Beets; one sister, Mamie; and four brothers, Alvin, James, Thomas and Bishop Paul Beets.
Lavernia was born November 5, 1927, in Thornton, Arkansas, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Roach) Beets. On April 12, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, she was united in marriage to Joseph Johnson. He died May 5, 2005.
Lavernia was a member of Word of Faith Pentecostal Church of God in Christ.
Survivors include her children, Beatrix (Harlen) Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, Bennie Wilson, Larry Wilson and Chylinda Pritchett of Chicago, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Reginald Caesar, Roshunda Caesar and Ryan Caesar all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marquita Barton of Denver, Colorado, Summer (Dr. Henry) Frazier of Brooklyn, New York, Magale Caesar of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Demetrius Wilson of Denver, Colorado, Lakeelah Wilson of Cedar Rapids and Donovan Roper of Chicago; 17 great grandchildren; one sister, Alvernia Franklin of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Colbert “Billy” (Sandy) Beets of Cedar Rapids and Rev. Wendell (Lenore) Beets of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Rev. Mary Beets of the Cedar Rapids Gospel Tabernacle Church; and a host of nieces, nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Beets; one sister, Mamie; and four brothers, Alvin, James, Thomas and Bishop Paul Beets.
Lavernia was born November 5, 1927, in Thornton, Arkansas, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Roach) Beets. On April 12, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, she was united in marriage to Joseph Johnson. He died May 5, 2005.
Lavernia was a member of Word of Faith Pentecostal Church of God in Christ.
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