Desktop Publishing /Printing by New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville)

2720 Turnpike Road—Portsmouth, VA 23707 Office@nfbct.hrcoxmail.com 757-399-6730 www.newfbct.org

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ENTRUSTED TO

J. T. FISHER FUNERAL SERVICE 1248 N. George Washington Hwy. — Chesapeake, VA 23323

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The family is deeply appreciative for all of the love and acts of kindness shown during the illness of our beloved,

Karen and during this time of bereavement.

“He Only Takes the Best”

God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be.

So He wrapped his arms around you, and whispered, “Come to Me.”

You didn’t deserve what you went through, so He gave you rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful. He only takes the best.

And when I saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free from pain,

I could not wish you back to suffer that again.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU . . .

The family would like to give special thanks to Pastor William J. Smith, Jr., Deacon Fred Rodgers,

Deacon Robert Stateman and Deacon Paul R. Burke, Sr. of New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville) and

Sister Clarice W. Shamlee for their many visits, words of encouragement, and prayer during Karen’s period of illness

and transition; and to Sister Brenda Williams for all her help, advice, and support during this difficult time.

The Family of Karen V. Johnson

Life

September 3, 1953

Eternal Life June 19, 2013

A Memorial Service for

Karen Virginia Johnson

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith:

Friday, June 28, 2013 - 11:00 am

New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville) 2720 Turnpike Road — Portsmouth, VA 23707

Rev. William J. Smith, Jr., Pastor ~ Officiating

Order of Service

Following the service, the family will assemble in the dining facility of

New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville) for repast and fellowship.

Prelude …………………..………...…….. Brother Robert L. Williams, Jr.

Minister of Music

Processional ………………………..…..……. Clergy, Family and Friends

Invocation …………………………....…...…. Pastor William J. Smith, Jr.

Hymn of Praise ………………………...………………….. Concert Choir

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

Scripture Reading

Old Testament ~ Psalm 121 ………… Rev. James E. Wynn, Sr.

Associate Minister, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA

New Testament ~ John 14:1-6 .…...… Deacon Robert Stateman

Prayer of Comfort ……………..…………..………… Rev. LeRoy Hill, Jr.

Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA

Hymn of Comfort (Soloist) ……………..…….. Deacon Paul R. Burke, Sr.

Acknowledgements …………….……….……….. Sister Brenda Williams

Tribute ………….……….…..…. Mr. Sylvester M. Howard, Jr. (Nephew)

Expressions ………………………………………….……... 2 Min. Please

New First Baptist Church (Taylorsville)

Deacon Fred Rodgers, Chairman, Deacon Ministry

I. C. Norcom High School, Class of 1971

Rev. Ceceilia Jones

Friend ~ Lorrie Smith

Family ~ Shawnya A. Wilborne (Niece)

Silent Reading of the Obituary …..…………..……………….. Soft Music

Musical Selection (Soloist) ………….……... Dr. Patricia Saunders-Nixon

Ebenezer Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA

Eulogy ……………...……….…………..…… Pastor William J. Smith, Jr.

~ Recessional ~

K aren Virginia Johnson was born in Portsmouth, VA to the late Willie

Johnson and Hazel Fleetwood Johnson Bryant on September 3, 1953.

A fter an extended illness in the early dawn of June 19, 2013, Karen

transitioned peacefully into eternal rest.

K aren was a graduate of the 1971 Class of I. C. Norcom High School,

Portsmouth, VA and attended Norfolk State University. Until her health

declined, Karen was a faithful member of New First Baptist Church

(Taylorsville) and a devoted Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with

Direct Home Health Care for 20 years.

S he truly loved her patients and was accepted as a family member by

her patients and their families. Karen loved her family and would make

any sacrifice to ensure their comfort.

K aren was predeceased by her parents, Willie Johnson and Hazel

Fleetwood Johnson Bryant, loving stepfather, Joseph A. Bryant, and

brother, James Fleetwood.

S he leaves to cherish her memory, two devoted sisters, Gayle J.

Robinson (Eugene) and Pamela J. Howard (Sylvester, Sr.); a special

niece, Shawnya A. Wilborne (Tyree); nephews, Eugene A. Robinson

(Christina), Sylvester M. Howard, Jr., Robert C. Howard, and Bryan A.

Howard; nieces, Tonia Fleetwood, Tanngie Johnson (Patrick), Jamie

Fleetwood, Tarina Fleetwood, and Terri Lynn Fleetwood; sister-in-law,

Donna Fleetwood and a host of aunts, uncles, great nieces and nephews,

cousins, and friends.

K aren also leaves two caring caregivers, Lorrie Smith and Shona

Tucker and special friends, JoAnn and Antoinette Ramseur,

Latrice Wilson, Gail Wills, and Dennis and Kendra Washington.

In Remembrance of Karen

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every

purpose under the heaven . . . A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn . . .