Page 5
November 2007
The AC Phoenix
joyed family life and was a devoted wife and mother. Bertina instilled Chris
tian values in the home and set high expectations for educational achieve
ment.
Bertina understood the value of education and laid the foundation for
her children to achieve substantial educational success. She also resumed her
own educational goals. In 1976 Bertina received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Geronotology and Social Work from Iona College in New Rochelle,
NY. She continued her studies at Fordham University, Bronx, NY, earning
her Master’s degree in Social Work in 1982.
Bertina began a career in social work in 1978 as a Medical Social
Worker at New Rochelle Hospital-Medical Center in New Rochelle,
NY. After retiring in 1990, Bertina used her social work skills to provide
services to the elderly in her community. She served as the Senior Services
Coordinator for the Office on Aging in Mount Vernon, New York for several
years.
During the latter part of her life, Bertina resided in the suburbs of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her daughter. There she formed many new
friendships as an active member of a local senior center. Bertina continued
her legacy of providing guidance and comfort to others and was an inspiration
to many of the young workers at the center.
Bertina is pre-deceased by her husband, Harold Edmund Johnson and
her brother, Tommiel Young. She is survived by her three children: Donald
Howie (Barbara), Derek Johnson (Susan), and Beth Johnson; three grandchil
dren: Razi Howie (Debbie), Dillon Johnson and Kira Johnson; two great
grandchildren: Camus Howie and Bethene Howie, one sister-in-law, Ruby
Jones of North Carolina, four devoted cousins: Albert Dixon of California,
Alfreta Jones, Barbara Olstead, and Eddie Miller of North Carolina; two de
voted nieces; Patrice Pitts and Wilma Sumler of Washington, DC; two de
voted nephews: Rodney Sumler of North Carolina and Michael Obey of
Michigan, and a host of other relatives and friends. Bertina Robinson Johnson
was bom November 26, 1926 in Rockhill, South Carolina to the late Charles
and Made Bell Robinson. She departed this life on August 25, 2007 at her
home in North Wales, Pennsylvania after a brief illness.
Bertina’s life was a journey from humble begiimings to remarkable
achievements. At an early age, it was clear to her family that Bertina was an
exceptional child. Armed with a tenacious spirit and a strong Christian faith,
Bertina dared to dream. She set high standards for herself and her family, and
pursued her goals with courage, resourcefulness and determination. She was
also a nurturing person who found great joy in helping others. These qualities
defined Bertina’s life and shaped her career.
Bertina was raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she was
educated in Forsyth County public schools. After completing her high school
education at Atkins High School in Winston-Salem and a semester at Shaw
University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Bertina migrated north to New York
City in search of better employment and educational opportunities. After set
tling in Harlem, Bertina enrolled at the Monroe Business Institute where she
received training in business skills. This training opened the door to many
new employment options.
In 1950. Bertina joined Metropolitan Community United Methodist
Church in Harlem. NY, where she remained an active member for over forty
years. She worked tirelessly in the church and was recognized as one of it’s
most capable leaders. She held numerous mentoring and leadership roles,
including Sunday School Teacher, President of the Young Adults and Presi
dent of the United Methodist Women. Bertina developed a strong extended
family within the church, forming many lifelong relationships.
In 1952 Bertina married the late Harold Edmund Johnson. She en
joyed family life and was a devoted wife and mother. Bertina instilled Chris
tian values in the home and set high expectations for educational achieve
ment.
Bertina understood the value of education and laid the foundation for
her children to achieve substantial educational success. She also resumed her
own educational goals. In 1976 Bertina received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Geronotology and Social Work from Iona College in New Rochelle,
NY. She continued her studies at Fordham University, Bronx, NY, earning
her Master’s degree in Social Work in 1982.
Bertina began a career in social work in 1978 as a Medical Social
Worker at New Rochelle Hospital-Medical Center in New Rochelle,
NY. After retiring in 1990, Bertina used her social work skills to provide
services to the elderly in her community. She served as the Senior Services
Coordinator for the Office on Aging in Mount Vernon, New York for several
years.
During the latter part of her life, Bertina resided in the suburbs of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her daughter. There she formed many new
friendships as an active member of a local senior center. Bertina continued
her legacy of providing guidance and comfort to others and was an inspiration
to many of the young workers at the center.
Bertina is pre-deceased by her husband, Harold Edmund Johnson and
her brother, Tommiel Young. She is survived by her three children: Donald
Howie (Barbara), Derek Johnson (Susan), and Beth Johnson; three grandchil
dren: Razi Howie (Debbie), Dillon Johnson and Kira Johnson; two great
grandchildren: Camus Howie and Bethene Howie, one sister-in-law. Ruby
Jones of North Carolina, four devoted cousins: Albert Dixon of California,
Alfreta Jones, Barbara Olstead, and Eddie Miller of North Carolina; two de
voted nieces: Patrice Pitts and Wilma Sumler of Washington, DC; two de
voted nephews: Rodney Sumler of North Carolina and Michael Obey of
Michigan, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Reflecticns frcrni a Son
^erek 'Johnson, ihe middle of^eriina's three children, and 9 ihoughi 9 would share
just a few reflections about our ^om and the blessed life she led. ^This, obviously, is no easy
task, and 9 couldn't find a suitable cram course that could capably ready me for this unfortu
nate occasion reality is the only "prep" we've ever had for
this moment is ihe life our ^om has led. the values she instilled, and the
many special memories she leaves behind. S^lnd it's also true that 3'm the proverbial ^ama 's
boy. and a proud one at that ^ence. its my sense it s what she would want, and it gives me
one last chance to strive for her approval in her presence. That said. 3'm going to be brief in
fact briefer than Tdom deserves, in ihe interest of getting through this with some semblance of
decorum. That too is what Tda would want.
9 want to start with the obvious, which is to thank each of you for coming this afternoon:
thank you also for the many prayers and your acts of kindness since our mother's passing.
Tlnd. thank you for the moments, memories and experiences with our Tdom over ihe years. Tls
to my mom. there is lots to be said. T'd like to focus not on the burden and magnitude of to
day's loss, but on the beauty and benefit that was our Tdom's life. (3he was a devotedly
Christian woman: an immense resource to others: a fiercely protective guardian of her children
and grandchildren. Che still holds the championship title for ihe most doting accolades towards
her grandchildren. Che was a person of unrelenting determination: a person who would rather
give than receive. Che was a proud lady, a much traveled lady: a strong lady, a cultured lady,
a private lady. Che was caring and polite: but she also had a tenacity to get things done: she
had grit, and she exerted unbounded effort on behalf of her children. Che was also known to
convene a compelling dinner conversation every holiday season spanning politics, sports, cur
rent events and the Ctate ofT>lack Tlmerica.
Tjes. lots could be said about our Tdom. but 3 words characterize her best: sacrifice, expecta
tion and quiet, ^ut for her. they were the three words that mattered. T^nd the words are the
same, whether applied to you or her.
Expectation
Expectation of achievement
Expectation of education
Expectation that you d reach for your potential
Expectation of decorum
Quiet
quiet demeanor:
quiet, but steadfast faith:
quiet wit:
quiet resolve: and
quiet confidence
Tto one - exempting the 3 of us. - has ever heard her shout, or scream. Tio one
ever heard her utter a curse T>ut she was direct: and she expected of everyone else what she
expected of her children and herself. (3he suffered fools only slightly, and less you take that
quiet for meekness: you could be summarily surprised at the depth of her bite, the determined
protectivism. and pride she exerted over her children, and her dignity and her compassion for
others. Tn many respects, she epitomized ihe purpose-driven life, and those who knew her.
were all the better for it.
before Closing. 9 want to say something about someone other than my Tdom. but in
her likeness, and that's my sister. Jfike every brother and sister, one generation to the
next, we've have our personality differences and a minor squabble or two over the years - call
them cat fights, if you will.
Tfnd like my Tdom. she can be tough, if you get in her way. or cut comers where she
thinks you shouldn't. Tndeed. you'd pity the doctor who gets in front of her unprepared, or
who utters something not well thought out T>ul for the last eight years, my sister, like my
Tdom. made one sacrifice after another, to ensure our mother's well-being. Jfiike my THom.
her demeanor is quiet, her expectations are intense, and her sacrifices have been material and
noble. T>y now. you get the point. Che's my mother's daughter, and in her. lies all the attributes
my Tdom instilled. To ^elh. my brother and 9 want to extend a very public thank you.
To my Tdom. we say job well done, and we will miss you dearly.