Newspapers / The AC Phoenix News … / Nov. 1, 2007, edition 1 / Page 4
Part of The AC Phoenix News (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Page 4 November 2007 The AC Phoenix Celebrating Bertina Robinson Johnson Bertina Robinson Johnson was bom November 22, 1926 in Rockhill, South Carolina to the late Charles and Macie Bell Rob inson. She departed this life on August 25, 2007 at her home in North Wales, Pennsylvania after a brief illness. Bertina’s life was a jour ney from humble beginnings to remarkable achievements. At an early age, it was clear to her fam ily that Bertina was an excep tional child. Armed with a tena cious spirit and a strong Chris tian faith, Bertina dared to dream. She set high standards for herself and her family, and pursued her goals with courage, resourcefulness and determina tion. 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 its 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 achievement. Bertina understood the value of education and laid the foundation for her children to achieve substantial educational success. She also resumed pur suit of her own educational goals. In 1976 Bertina received her Bachelor of Science degree in Gerontology 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. Af ter 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 devoted 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 Macie 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 beginnings 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, in cluding Sunday School Teacher, President of the Young Adults and President 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 achievement. 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 de gree 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. Af ter 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, Al freta Jones, Barbara Olstead, and Eddie Miller of North Carolina; two devoted nieces: Patrice Pitts and Wilma Sumler of Washington, DC; two devoted neph ews; 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 Macie 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 beginnings 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, in cluding Sunday School Teacher, President of the Young Adults and President 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- Continued on Page 5
The AC Phoenix News (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 1, 2007, edition 1
4
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75