Obituary

On February 7, 1931, a beautiful baby girl named Verla Odelma Clardy was born to Theola Mae (Fondren) Clardy and William Tobe Clardy in Claremore, Oklahoma.

She had six siblings: Robert, Eugene, Marvedessa, Nelle Hudson (Charles), Clinton, and Willene Samilton (Edward). Verla married Reverend Alvan N. Johnson, Sr. on February 22, 1964. From this marriage came Alana Sue Herring (Robert), Beatrice Renee’, Eunice Eileen and her bonus son, Reverend Dr. Alvan, Jr. Verla loved all her grandchildren: LaToya Tillis, Robert Herring, III, Spc. Jonathan Herring, Dal’Van Valentine, Gina Herring and bonus grandson, Jamel Clardy. She also loved her nieces, nephews, cousins, and all her family friends.

In Verla’s adult life she lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she owned her own daycare center, Allen Child Care for approximately 17 years. She was also first lady of Wilkes Chapel AME Church and Flipper Chapel AME Church in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Later she became a faithful member of Vernon AME and then became a minister while attending Higher Dimensions.