Versia Maretta Howard

Versia Maretta Howard of Kalamazoo, MI passed away suddenly on March 4, 2021. She was 76 years old. Versia, her mother’s precious namesake, was the third of 16 children born to L.T. Johnson and Versia Mae Johnson on July 31, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating high school in Hayti, MO, the young Versia Johnson moved to South Haven, Michigan where she met Leonard William Howard. They married December 16, 1966 and moved to Fennville, MI where they built a home and raised their children for more than 35 years.

Versia was a loving wife, mother and homemaker, who mastered the art of balancing home and work. While her devotion was to God and her family, Versia was also a devoted employee of South Haven Coil & Bohn Aluminum GM factory in South Haven, MI. Versia’s love for God was evidenced by her active involvement in the Seventh Day Adventist Church until she entered into rest. She held memberships at Bangor SDA Church and Kalamazoo Seventh Day Adventist church.

If there were ever a person who could find joy or bring joy to almost any situation, it was Versia Howard. She was a natural when it came to music, sharing her passion through singing, playing the piano and strumming the guitar. Whatever she attempted to do indoors or outdoors, she became good at it. She was an avid bowler, who enjoyed the sport with her husband and she has a string of trophies to prove it. Versia was extremely versatile and known for a plethora of talents such as sewing, gardening, small and large engine repair, building, painting, baking, creating homeopathic remedies, counseling and fishing, to name a few. Not only could she catch the fish, but no one else in the family could fry it up quite like her. She will also be remembered as a unique comedian, and gifted baby whisperer who selflessly supported her daughter’s childcare center.

Aside from her practical abilities, Versia’s greatest asset was her kind, generous and loving heart. Versia valued people and relationships far more than things, and had a knack for loving people well. She was a pillar of strength for her family who orchestrated her mother’s care during the times of illness and worked to help support the family financially. She was well-respected by her siblings as a spiritual leader within the family. On any given Friday night Versia could be found on the prayer line with her sisters whom she loved dearly. It was a weekly time she looked forward to. She was a remarkable mother and grandmother as well. The joy she gained from spending time with her grandchildren was immeasurable and inexplicable. She was so proud of each of them that once she started talking about their accomplishments, it was hard to find a stopping point. Her family was truly her pride and joy. She took great care of her grandchildren and her grand-dogs Dontae and Dapper.

Versia will be remembered by family, friends and anyone who came in contact with her as a woman of great strength and character who would always share her wisdom. She told it like it was, and was known for keeping her word. If she said it, you could count on it. Her life exemplified love. Versia taught us all that love was an action word. She taught us how to “do” love in every area of life.

Versia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 3 brothers Walter Johnson (Atlanta, GA), Roy Johnson, Sr. & Victory Johnson (Huntsville, AL) and 1 sister Pauline Johnson (Adams).  She is survived by her daughters Thelma Howard (Carter) Kalamazoo, MI; Tracy Howard Greensboro, NC; 11 Siblings Cora Lee Johnson (Magett) Loma Linda, CA; Etta Johnson(Cannon) Radcliff, KY, Thelma Johnson(Bernard) Huntsville, AL; Mary Johnson (Pollock), Martha Johnson, and Ellen Johnson Hayti, MO; Rufus Johnson, Sr. Bangor, MI; Lawrence Johnson Huntsville, AL; George Johnson Allentown, PA; Chris Johnson Jonesboro, GA; and John Johnson Hayti, MO. 3 grandchildren, Jalan Carter, Jamael Carter, and Temara Carter Kalamazoo, MI.    

Versia will be most remembered by her laughter, generosity, and her wisdom. Wake will be held Sunday, March 21, 2021 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Kalamazoo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 P.M. at the church.