“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8
Betty Pearl Johnson Nelson was born on November 19, 1947, and departed this earthly life and entered eternal life on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Betty was a native of Norfolk, Virginia and the only daughter of the late Paul Elmo Johnson, Jr., and Loriner Long Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband James Edward Nelson, III and her son Jermaine Lavelle Nelson. Betty Pearl as she was affectionally referred to by many of her family had the opportunity to gain a strong work ethic while working in the family business Long’s Market in her early years. Betty was educated in the Norfolk Public Schools, and a graduate of Norfolk’s Booker T. Washington High School. She enjoyed working with children during their formative years and retired from Norfolk Public School system. Betty was a member of Garrett’s Community Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia under the leadership of Bishop Johnnie L. Reid where she served on the Dorcas Missionary Board, the Eagles Nest Ministry, Prayer Ministry, and the Kitchen Committee. She was the committed Assistant Leader for the Lois P. Cason Tent #787, recently receiving her national honors for the United Order of Tents. Betty was a faithful and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and friend. She was a loving, kind, and caring person to everyone she encountered. Betty will be fondly remembered for her meek and optimistic spirit. Betty developed wonderful friendships with her neighbors over the years. She often enjoyed family gatherings and served on the Johnson family reunion committee for several years. Betty’s last weeks were filled with exuberance and joyous family celebrations saturated with love and masses of laughter. Betty’s memories will be cherished by her loving and loyal son, Antonio Travis Johnson (LaNita) of Irving, Texas, two brothers, Paul Eugene Johnson, Sr. (Jean) of Norfolk, Virginia and Robert Lee Johnson of New York, New York. Three grandchildren, Christopher White (Vivian) of North Augusta, South Carolina, Travis Johnson and Kiara Johnson of Montgomery, Alabama. Great-granddaughters; Aaliyah White, Tatiana White, one great-grandson Teitus Duraham of North Augusta, South Carolina, two aunts, Catherine Harris of Portsmouth, Virginia and Jean Brooks, of Portsmouth, Virginia one uncle, Leon Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia. Seven nieces; Janice Johnson of Alexandria, Virginia, Kem Williams of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Tiffany Nelson, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Rekita Nelson, of Suffolk, Virginia, and Florence, Christina, Anamia. Two nephews, Paul E. Johnson, Jr. (Adrian) of Chesapeake, Virginia and Michael P. Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia. Daughters-in-law, LaNita Johnson of Irving, Texas, Audrey Nelson, of Chesapeake, Virginia, Sisters-in-law; Jean Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia, Sandra Sherrod of Norfolk, Virginia and Anita Nelson of Suffolk, Virginia, brothers-in-law; Ronnie Nelson of Norfolk, Virginia and Michael Nelson of Suffolk, Virginia. Betty was blessed to be a product of loving and sizeable family including 19 paternal first cousins and 6 maternal first cousins. She was blessed to be reared with her doting and committed first-cousins-sisters: Brenda Greene and Eleanor Gray both of Chesapeake, Virginia. A special granddaughter-in love; Skaylar Tobias of Atlanta, Georgia. God sons; Darren and Derrick Custis of Chesapeake, Virginia. Betty will be missed by a host of wonderful relatives and friends.
