- Date Of Birth: September 10, 1927
- Date Of Death: February 27, 2022
- State: Alabama
Verna Laura Johnson Glasscock triumphantly met her Heavenly Father early Sunday morning. Verna was the daughter of the late James Arthur “Arthur” and Mary Elizabeth Edge Johnson and the widow of the late Wilford “Ray” Glasscock. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Laura Faye Glasscock, who died in infancy, and her son, Robert “Bob” Ray Glasscock.
Verna was a remarkable woman, indomitable in spirit, with a strong Christian witness. She was born on 10 September 1927 in Alabama to Arthur and Mary Johnson. Arthur had four other children by his first wife, Annie Tipton: Lillie Maie Johnson, James William Johnson, Joseph Arthur Johnson, and Earl Eugene Johnson. Verna was the eldest of the four children of Arthurs’ second wife, “Lizzie”. Her siblings were Jerleen Joy Johnson, Jerry Johnson, and Billy R. Johnson. Verna outlived all her siblings.
Verna lived through much of America’s modern history, beginning with the Great Depression. The family suffered during this awful time, where they lived in Birmingham, Alabama. Verna’s father, James Arthur Johnson, was an engineer for the L&N Railroad.
As a teenager, Verna soon faced the rumors of a great war. It soon became clear the war was no mere political quarrel but rather a great conflagration that threatened to encompass most of Europe in ugly conflict. Verna faced the threat to the man she loved, Wilford “Ray” Glasscock.
While Ray prepared for life in the Army and got ready to ship over to Europe, Verna at age 16, like so many other war brides, married the man who captured her heart. They were married for 54 years.
Her heart must have been torn in two as she followed the news. However, her faith was strong and she prayed as Ray served under General George Patton and served in a tank during the Battle of the Bulge. It was war and truly ugly for the young man.
Returning after the war, Ray and Verna began their married life. However, Ray had contracted tuberculosis, the result of having been sent overseas with pneumonia and enduring the draftiness of the tanks. Again, Verna stood strong as she followed Ray from hospital to sanitarium. All told, Ray spent five years in various sanitariums.
As if they did not have enough hardship, it was during this time they experienced the joy of the birth of their firstborn child, a daughter, Laura Faye Glasscock. However, in less than a year, baby Faye was gone, having fallen victim to meningitis. She was buried in Birmingham, Alabama.
After having been in a sanitarium in Atlanta, Georgia, Verna and Ray settled in Georgia. The Lord blessed them with the birth of another daughter, Kaye Ellen Glasscock. A short time later they welcomed into their lives a son, Robert “Bob” Ray Glasscock.
After a time they found themselves in Indialantic, Florida. There Verna worked as a medical secretary. She worked industriously and was so efficient at her job that when she left her job, it took three secretaries to replace her.
While in Indialantic, Ray and Verna discovered they shared a love of flying. They enjoyed it so much that both Verna and Ray earned their wings as pilots.
Family matters forced the family to move to Huntsville, Alabama. Again, Verna found work as a medical secretary.
While raising their children Verna and Ray also shared their joy of traveling, taking the kids on wonderful road trips. It was a love they would continue throughout their lives.
Verna started studying at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, while continuing to work and to participate in all her church activities. She graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting, when she was 60 years old! She was tenacious.
Age did not slow her down much. At the age of 65 she was shingling on a roof. Despite her small size, she was mighty in action and determined to do whatever was needed.
During these years she also discovered the Bible Study Fellowship. She was an active participant for many years. In fact, after she and Ray retired and traveled, she always made certain there was an active Bible Study Fellowship in each of their destinations. Ray once jokingly remarked he hoped that Heaven had Bible Study Fellowships otherwise he was afraid Verna would refuse to go.
For all her small size, Verna had an unlimited amount of energy and a big heart. She spent hours at the bedsides of hospitalized patients. She drove friends and church members to the doctor when they needed a ride.
Verna and Ray were in Orlando, Florida shortly after their daughter-in-law, Kathleen Fordice Glasscock, gave birth to her first child. Adopted at the age of five, and with a mother that had little experience with newborns, Kathleen was extremely grateful for the expertise and knowledge Verna was able to give her.
Verna also taught both her daughter and daughter-in-law how to can food. Green beans, stewed tomatoes, and grape jellies were specialties.
Verna and Ray loved to travel. They took road trips out west.
As Ray’s health worsened, he and Verna took to RVing to Texas or Florida during the summer and winter months. In fact, it was while they were in Florida that Ray suffered a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. Though the doctors were successful in the surgery, Ray was unable to overcome Adult Respiratory Syndrome. He passed and Verna was desolate. But when she came home she cried in the shower and presented her usual calm face to her family. Her faith in Jesus was steadfast and she persevered.
Although she was not able to drive the RV, Verna’s love of travel continued unabated. She went on road trips and cruises with friends. She went to Alaska, upper Michigan and cruised the Caribbean. Any time anyone mentioned a trip, Verna was eager to go. Her last road trip was at the age of 92 when she went to Kansas City, Missouri with daughter-in-law and granddaughter to see her new great grandson, Jackson Glasscock, son of Rob and Emily Glasscock.
Verna was also an active member at Curves, the women’s gym. She usually attended several days a week, working as much of the circuit as she was able. During a recent lunch date with her daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, she argued with her daughter Kaye about her doctor’s recommendation that she not do certain exercises. She told Kaye she thought she could continue to do them, just not as hard. Her granddaughter, Amanda, laughed. After all, how many times do you hear a 94-year-old complain about not being allowed to exercise?
When it became clear that Verna was not going to bounce back from her latest setbacks, she told friends and family she was going to see Jesus soon. It was a comfort to her and she kept repeating it. In fact, she prayed telling God she was ready to go to Heaven, what was taking Him so long.
Although her family rejoices she had gone to her Heavenly reward, Verna leaves a family that mourns the loss of her physical companionship. Her family includes her daughter, Kaye Ellen Glasscock Jackson and her husband, Dovard “Chuck” Charles Jackson, III, and their children: Laura Marie Jackson Campbell and her husband, Peter Campbell with their son, Jackson Riley Campbell; Nathan Thomas Jackson, and his wife, Christina Clemons, with their children, Carrie Jackson and David Jackson; Eric Jackson and his wife Jana Jackson with their children, Gianna McLaurin, Benjamin Jackson, Isaac Jackson, and Rose Jackson; daughter-in-law Kathleen Fordice Glasscock, widow of Robert “Bob” Ray Glasscock, and their children: Dorinne “Deedee” Denise Glasscock Hammons and her husband Chad Hammons with their children, Brianna Hammons, and Benjamin Hammons; Robert “Rob” Daniel Glasscock and his wife Emily Bunce Glasscock, with their son Jackson Glasscock; Amanda “Mandie” Lenore Saint and her husband, Stephan Patrick Saint.
Even as the family grieves we recognize that, according to Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
