Johnnie Belle Berry-Harmon

　

In every garden, there is a certain flower that seems to stand out with more brilliance and beauty than any of the others. Indubitably, Johnnie Belle Berry-Harmon was that one, special flower. On April eleventh, Heaven‘s garden was blessed with another beautiful creation.

Johnnie Belle was born unto Virginia Nadine and John Mann Chancellor on November 18, 1941 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. On that day, she joined into an adventurous life with her best friend and sister, Nadine Berry. At very young ages, both Johnnie Belle and Nadine overcame struggles; however, they were blessed when adopted by their aunt and uncle, Otha Jane and Gus Berry. Otha Jane and Gus raised the two girls to be two of the most memorable and graceful ladies this family could ask for.

Johnnie Belle had a wonderful and eventful life. She overcame the death of her first husband, Jerry Wayne, raised four amazing children, fell in love with and married Gene Harmon, and devoted all of her heart to five loving grandchildren.

Johnnie Belle was preceded in death by her first husband Jerry Wayne Garland, parents Otha Jane and Gus Berry, and her biological parents Virginia Nadine and John Mann Chancellor. She said a short-term goodbye to her loving family: husband Gene Harmon of Sapulpa, OK, sister, Nadine Berry of Okmulgee, OK, children, Brett and Diana Garland of Henryetta, OK, Michelle and Curt Johnston of Mounds, OK, David Harman of Okmulgee, OK, and Dawn and Devin DeBock also of Okmulgee, OK, and her grandchildren, the apples of her eye, Dallas and Sydney Johnston, Riley Harman, Ege and Kate DeBock. Brett and Diana have two children that Johnnie Belle thought highly of: Terry Fowler and her two boys, and Michael Smith and his three girls. It is imperative to mention a few more close family members: her cousin, Johnnie and Lu Vierling of Checotah, OK and their daughter, Jill Vierling. Johnnie Belle loved Johnnie; he was a cousin and a best friend.

The family wishes to invite other friends and family to McClendon-Winters Funeral Home where they may see Johnnie Belle from one until eight o’clock in the evening Tuesday. The family will be present six until eight on Tuesday. There will also be visitation on Wednesday from ten until eight o’clock in the evening. The services for Johnnie Belle will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at one o’clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church of Okmulgee, OK where Brother Bill Oldham, Pastor of Pickett Prairie Baptist Church of Sapulpa, OK will officiate the celebration of Johnnie’s precious life. Interment will be in the Okmulgee Cemetery under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, all donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

At this very moment, the family is comforted in knowing that a beautiful flower blossomed in Heaven’s garden, and has warmed the hearts of those passed friends and family members whom have awaited her emergence into Heaven.