Shirley Vanessa Johnson: Obituary

Shirley Vanessa Johnson

July 8, 1957 – February 19, 2019

Shirley Vanessa Johnson, age 61, of Mineral Bluff, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 in Chattanooga, TN. She was born in Jasper on July 8, 1957. She attended World Harvest North. She was a silent warrior of God. She was a beloved mom, sister, and “Nana.” She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She would brag about them to everyone she spoke to. She would always put others before herself and make sure everyone’s needs were met before her own. She loved seashells and butterflies. She could never have enough butterfly things. She had an eye for design and was passionate about decorating, scrapbooking, and anything craft related. She loved to cook for everyone and made the best food anyone could eat. She made the best pie and would make sure if she knew you were going to be close, would have a pie or cake ready for your birthday. She enjoyed shopping, not for herself, but for others. She had the most loving heart and never expected anything from anyone. Everyone that took the time to know her got to know her true self, which she hid from the world, a beautiful, loving, giving, compassionate, nurturing woman. She was a mother to all who got to know her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Henry Johnson; parents, Harold Edison Watkins and Betty Jean Cooper; and granddaughter, Jaylen Cinay Walker Watkins.

She is survived by her children, Scott Timothy Watkins of Sarasota, FL; Stacy Ann Watkins of Bradenton, FL; Steven Paul Charles (Tracy) Watkins of Bradenton, FL; and Sean Allen Watkins of Roseville, Michigan; grandchildren, Rachel Lauren Epperson, Jacqueline Delaney Epperson, Destiny Rose Watkins, Kiersten Paige Twiggs, Taylor Ann Watkins, and Jada Lanae Watkins; and brother, Steve Edward Cooper of St. Claire Shores, MI.

Memorial services will be conducted on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 5:00 pm from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Asa Dockery officiating. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 pm until the funeral hour of 5:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to the family online at akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.