Vondie Lee Waters Johnson, 84 of Gurley passed away February 17, 2018.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Service will be at 12:00 pm at Berryhill Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brian Shump and Bro. Paul O’Neil officiating.
Vondie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Gordon Johnson, children, Debbie, Kay & Chip (Lisa), grandchildren, Maletha (David), Twins (Marla & Darla), Benjamin (Casey) & Kyle (Lexie), greatgrandchildren, Mikail,, Alyssa, Parker, Hunter, KayLynn, Jackson, Maggie, RyLee & Gordie. Twin Sisters, Betty Jean Bailey & Bonnie Jean Jones (whom Vondie named when they were born.) She had a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Vondie was preceded in death by her parents, Lee & Muriel Waters, brothers: Winford “Chief” Waters, Grady Waters & Clinton Waters.
Vondie is a member of the Church of God. She attended Chase Church of God until Saturday morning when God moved her to the Congregation in Heaven. Vondie loved her church family and loved to be able to attend service even when she was too sick to come. She had many scriptures that she claimed as her “Favorites!” – John 3:16 was just one of those. She loved singing and hearing the Songs of Zion. Vondie said: “I love all the songs in our song books and the joy I feel when our choir sings.” She was a very thankful person. In 2015, she said, “I feel the Lord really blessed us in 2015. He blessed us with all our needs; food, clothing and a warm house to live in.” She was a frugal woman and never considered herself lacking. Her testimony was always, “I AM BLESSED!” She listed “So Unworthy” as a special song. She said: “This song that Sis. GayNell sings is always a blessing to me when I hear it. Just to think that Christ Jesus came in to the world to save a sinner like me.” The children at church were a highlight to her when she was able to attend. She loved hearing them sing and could always be found before church with a line of children waiting for hugs and candy.
Vondie graduated from Butler High School in 1952. She volunteered at Burritt on the Mountain and enjoyed her time showing the Museum Guests how to cook on the Wood Stove. She could be seen making full meals and a host of friends/volunteers joining her to eat a mealtime. Many times, she might be making a large iron pot of apple butter on an open fire outside the log cabin. Vondie was a Master Gardener. She loved to have her hands in the dirt and see the beautiful flowers or the bountiful harvest from her garden. She canned the harvest from her gardens to provide for her family and friends. There were often times people would want to purchase her home-canned items from soups, green beans, canned peaches, pickles, jams, jellies, “end-of-harvest” chow-chow, etc. Many around the area knew Vondie for her cakes. There were many who made sure they got their cake orders in early for the holiday season. She was known for her Watkins Five Flavor pound cake; Chocolate Pound Cake; The Perfect Chocolate Cake with the Whipped Creme filling; The Coconut Cake with pineapple filling; Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting; German Chocolate with lots of coconut and nuts in the homemade frosting; the Caramel Cake with Caramel frosting – Just to Name a few. She made many types of cookies, pies, candies and breads. She was an excellent cook and has passed this talent to her children and grandchildren. Vondie collected cookbooks and had them lining the book shelves. She loved reading the recipes as if they were a novel with an exciting ending. Vondie always liked to cook Birthday Dinners for her family and friends. She enjoyed people and was always ready for a party. Vondie’s smile could light up any room. Later in life, she began to experience different health concerns. She always became the physicians, nurses, therapists and attendants favorite part of the day. They could be having a difficult day and try to help Vondie and leave her room a better person because of her smile and cheerful attitude. She always maintained a happy attitude down to the end of her life here on earth. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr’s Chennipati, Dr. Haught, & Dr. Ortega; Amedisys Hospice, Natalie, RN and Karen, CNA.
Pall Bearers will be: Ben Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Thom Barrineau, Gabe Holmes, Mikail Branam & David Branam.
Vondie will be buried at the Nelson Chapel Cemetery on Killingsworth Cove Road in Gurley.
