Bernetta Johnson-Whetstone

Bernetta “Faye” Johnson Whetstone was born on September 25, 1952 to Mr. and Mrs. Willie J. Johnson, Sr. Faye confessed hope in Christ at an early age and became a member of First Baptist Jonesboro Heights under the leadership of the late Rev. D. W. Williams where she sang in the choir. She later joined First Baptist Church, East Bessemer under the leadership of Rev. Lonnie Green where she was also a member of the choir and faithful servant until her health failed.
Faye was educated in the Bessemer School System attending C. F. Hard Elementary School and graduating from J.S. Abrams in 1970; she was a majorette for the “Mighty Marching Blue Devils” band. Faye was a gifted singer and was also apart of a singing group while in high school. She developed a sisterhood that was unbreakable beginning in the first grade with Hattie Olds and Debra Ann Barham.
After high school she attended Bessemer Technical College, presently known as Lawson State Community College, where she studied Nursing. Later she would become a Unit Secretary at St. Vincent’s Hospital where she worked for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2004. During this time Faye again met lifelong friends, Ella Clark, Linda Brown, Luvenia Cummings, Dorothy (Dot) Jenkins, Barbara Carter, Dorothy Quinn, Eula Dew, “The Golden Girls” and many others.
Faye was so full of life, always energetic and never met a stranger. She loved life and lived it to the fullest and was always there for any and everyone. She especially loved her family and always nurtured and took care of all of them. Being the oldest girl, she paved the way for her two younger sisters by making her mom “Ms. Skeet” a little more lenient as they grew into young women. Being the oldest she was the first Johnson grandchild and was very spoiled. She had her very own little red wagon that her grandfather would ride her all over Burstall and Hueytown in.
She was preceded in death by: mother, Willie Mae (Skeet) Johnson; brothers, Donald (Squeaky) Keith, Sr., Herman (Rickey) Keith and Willie J. (Ambrosia) Johnson, Jr.; grandparents, Johnny and Dollie Johnson; aunt, Zola Settler.
She leaves to cherish her memories: devoted son, Emory Barham, III; father, Willie J. Johnson, Sr.; sisters, Carol (Julius) Burt and Angela Davis; brothers, Jerry Johnson and Bennie Johnson; godbrothers, Willie Evans and Fredrick Ware; grandchildren whom she adored, Ashley Mauldin (Orlando) Houston, Aziza Barham, Amiri Barham and Kwasi Barham; great grandchildren, Mariah, Yuriah and Diyari; great aunt, Dessie Treadway; uncles, Albert Johnson, Dannis (Elaine) Johnson and Russell Settler; aunt, Jewel Parker; special cousins, Mary Jean (Tommie) Williams, Carolyn (Bobby) Oden, Anita West Maye, Charmaine Smith, Albert West, Barry Latham, Virgie Braxton, Samuel Wilson, Kathy (John) Arrington, Gwen Barnett and Lisa (Otis) Harris; devoted sister-in-law, Debra Johnson; special nephews, Clifford (Marlene) Keith, Donald (Coretta) Keith, Marcus Tillman, Antonio Price, Delvecchio (Kimberly) Johnson, Jamaul (LaTara) Johnson, Courtney Johnson, Julius Burt, II, Kevin Johnson and Timothy Davis; niece, Jenine Johnson; dear friend, William “Richard” Grissett; and a host of great nephews, nieces, other relatives, friends and Dartmouth Avenue neighbors.