Deaconess Bernice Johnson was born on September 18, 1944 in Inverness, Mississippi. She was the only child of Clardine Hearns and Odis Willis. Bernice was raised by her grandmother Mamie Smith.

Bernice was raised in Chicago, IL where she attended Chicago Public Schools. Bernice worked as a home healthcare aid and retired in 1997.

Bernice met and married the love of her life, Larry Johnson in 1999.  She gained 5 children and several grandchildren to this union and embraced the name " Mrs Bernice" , as she was affectionately called by their children and grandchildren. " Mrs Bernice" and Larry shared a love like no other and everyone that encountered the two could feel the love between the pair. Larry loved and adored his " Bernie" .   Mrs. Bernice was the life of the Johnson party.  Their children and grandkids could always count on her to greet them with a hug, a kiss, tears, that beautiful smile and of course some of her famous dishes.  She was known for her delicious breakfast, her well seasoned greens and that tender corned beef.

Bernice and Larry relocated from Chicago to Pass Christian, Mississippi in 1999.  Bernice worked at Wal-Mart in "The Pass" and she attended First Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie Holt, where she served on the Deaconess board until her and Larry's health began to fail.

Mrs. Bernice brought her same infectious smile and personality to The Pass where she was loved by many in town.

On Monday August 23, 2021 surrounded by her husband, Bernice was called home to Glory.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents, Clardine and Odis, grandmother, Mamie and son-in-law, Horatio.

She leaves to cherish her fond memory her husband Larry of Pass Christian, MS; 5 children: Sharon of Hanover Park, IL, Larry Jr ( Tiffany) of Slidell, Louisiana, Richard ( Jessica) of Hanover Park, IL, Anthony of Forest Park, IL and Cathy (LeVon) of Romeoville, IL; 24 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 1 cousin: Frankie McRae of Indianola, MS; 4 sister-in-laws; 8 brother-in-laws; and a host of friends and family.