Beatrice Marie Johnson

Beatrice Marie Johnson, known to many as 'Bea,' passed away on May 10, 2018 at the age of 94 in Tyler, Texas. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Lloyd James Funeral Home with Pastor Elwood Stetson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior.

Bea was born on December 18, 1923 in Joliet Illinois to the late Frank Joseph and Ivy Irene Nerkins.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents; husband of sixty-six years, Raymond W. Johnson; her brother Leonard Nerkins; her nephew Jimmy Nerkins; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor Johnson and Hunter Chadwick.

Bea will be fondly remembered by her four children: Ron (Barbara) Johnson, Ray (Sandy) Johnson, Joyce Johnson and Rod Johnson; in addition her brother Harold (Linda) Nerkins. She will also be fondly remembered by nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, a cousin, nieces and nephews. She will also be fondly remembered by the many friends she made during her years of residence in Southern California and East Texas.

Bea was a gifted, self-taught artist whose skills produced beautiful oil paintings, many of which won blue and tri-color ribbons at the East Texas State Fair. Her artistic skills also extended to cake decorating during her time in the family bakery business known as Nut N Fancy. Bea loved her home which she filled with beautiful collections for which she took great delight in finding the perfect spot. Christmas was her favorite time of the year to display her vast collection of beautiful decorations.

As a Christian, Bea often attended Grace Community Church with her son Ron. She served for three years at the church as an assistant in her daughter-in-law's Sunday School class, especially enjoying art time with the four year olds.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Beatrice Marie Johnson to Bethesda Health Clinic, BoysTown.org, or Humane Society of Smith County. In lieu of flowers, live house plants are appreciated.