Mrs. Vernice Griggs Johnson was born August 23, 1924 in Madison, Illinois to Lula Phillips Griggs and Charles M. Griggs. Both parents preceded her in death.

Vernice's mother Lula passed when Vernice was just four years old. Because of an agreement between Lula and her first cousin Maggie Phillips Griggs it was decided if anything would happen to either cousin, the remaining one would take care of the children. Maggie and her husband, Moses Griggs honored that agreement and raised Lula and Charles' four children with their nine, as their own.

Vernice was a lifelong resident of Madison, IL area. She attended Dunbar School and later achieved her G.E.D. She furthered her education and enrolled in Mildred Louise Business College in East St. Louis, Illinois and successfully completed clerical training. With skills in hand and her baby child in school she entered the job market. Vernice secured full time employment in 1965 with the Madison School District as a Teacher's Aide. She was later promoted to office Secretary and served in the position until June 1970. She resigned from Madison School District to work for the Madison County Detention Home, Edwardsville, Illinois. As a Counselor she achieved a promotion to supervisor and held this position until her retirement in March 1983.

Vernice was an active member of Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church until her health began to fail. She confessed her life to Christ at an early age. Vernice loved the Lord. She was a giver, not only of herself but she enjoyed sharing. She had a heart large enough to always have room to love more. She was commonly known as Other Mother and Nana. She was willing to help serve, not only in church but in the community and to others.

Vernice married her high school sweetheart, Elvers P. Johnson on January 1, 1941. She and Elvers chose to remain in Madison to raise their family. They were proud parents of six children. Vernice was married 38 years prior to Elvers' death.

She was preceded in death in addition to her husband, son, Elvers Jr., daughter, Clarice Langton, son-in-law, Wilbur Newby, Jr., parents, siblings, Charlsie Taylor, Rosie Lee Baucum, Lubirder Payne, LaVera Benton, Douglas Griggs, Solomon Griggs, Earl Griggs, James Griggs, Augusta Griggs, Gerald Griggs, Sr., O'Larry Griggs, Donald Griggs, Wesley B. Griggs, Sr., Roger Griggs, Sr., and mother-in-law, Jessie Johnson.

She leaves to cherish fond memories of her love, her daughters, Harelyn Johnson (Turner Brooks), Marsha Johnson of Madison, Illinois; Kathleen Johnson Newby of Florissant, MO, Charlsie (Mitchell) Wilson of Lenexa, KS; grandchildren, Terrilyn Lanton of Northwoods, MO and Elvers Brooks of Lenexa, KS; special friend/sister/family, Luzellia Gardner and family, Adrienne Allen, sister-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and all those she loved and loved her.