PALLBEARERS
Richard Gern-Jones
Dashaun Gern
Aaron Curry
Anthony Adamick, Jr.
HONORARY BEARERS
Larry Gern
David Gern
Willie Curry
Isaac Johnson
REPAST
MAMLEO 61 Columbia Road Dorchester, MA 02121
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to Floyd A. Williams Funeral Home, Inc.
Bishop John M. Borders, III (Senior Pastor) and Reverend Dorothy Isles Smith (Assistant Pastor) of Morning Star Baptist Church, Dennis Thompson (food) and Clifton Singletary (banquet hall) our brothers and sisters, and our family and friends.
May God Continue to Bless You All!!
OBITUARY
Helene Marie (Gern) Johnson, aged 86, of Boston, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024. Born in Otterberg, Germany on May 29, 1937, Helene brought joy and warmth to all who knew her. She leaves behind a loving family, including her daughters Gladys Gern-Bowden (NC), Denise Rodriguez (Boston), Alberta McCormick (Boston), Sylvia Johnson-Curry (Boston), and Theresa Johnson (Boston); her daughter-in-law Elizabeth ParisGern (Boston), Marilyn Jones (Boston), Jeanie Drooker (Boston); sons Peter Gern (Boston); sons-in-law Kevin Bowden (NC), Travis McCormick (NC), and Willie Curry (Boston), and her adopted sons Michael Assad (Boston), Dennis Thompson (Boston); nephew Benno Puppe and his wife Ingrid (Germany); sister-in-law Gwendolyn RushTisdale; and nephews Sidney Collier, Francis Collier, and Harry Walker. Her legacy extends to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her dearest friends: Ethlyn Roach and Gladys Curry (Boston), and a community that cherished her deeply.
Preceding her in death were her lifelong partner Jimmie James Fluitt; her parents Peter and Maria Gern; siblings Karl, Zita, Joseph, Peter Jr., and Paula; and sons Joseph Johnson and Jimmie Fluitt Jr.
Helene, affectionately known as 'Helen' or 'Miss J,' relocated to the U.S. in 1965, setting roots in Colorado where she met her beloved Jimmie. The couple moved to Boston in 1971, where they shared their lives until Jimmie's passing in 1981. A vibrant storyteller, Helene often recounted her difficult early life in wartorn Germany, her days working in a factory and as a housekeeper, and her love for the outdoors-especially family gatherings at Houghton's Pond and visits to her daughter Abby in Virginia. A nature lover and talented cook, she gardened and fed birds daily, and was famed for dishes like her Chicken and Dumplings and Meatloaf.
An enthusiastic fan of country westerns and wrestling, Helene also loved dancing. Her home was a sanctuary for those seeking comfort and guidance. A devout member of Morning Star Baptist Church, she reveled in the teachings of her pastor. Helene's profound impact and loving spirit will be profoundly missed.
SCRIPTURES
ORDER OF SERVICE
OLD TESTAMENT
Psalm 34:18
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
NEW TESTAMENT
John 14:1-3
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
OFFICIATING…REVEREND DOROTHY ISLES SMITH
BISHOP JOHN M. BORDERS, III…SENIOR PASTOR
Morning Star Baptist Church
PROCESSIONAL
Invocation…...……….....Reverend Dorothy Isles Smith
Scriptures…………………..………...Kourtney Aguilar
Old Testament ~ Psalm 34:18
New Testament ~ John 14:1-3
Prayer of Comfort…...…Reverend Dorothy Isles Smith
Solo…………….……………….Benjamin Jacob Flucus
Remarks…………………………………………..Family
Peter Gern
Gladys Gern-Bowden
("The Reason Why God Put Mother's Here")
Marilyn Jones
Ronda
(Letter from Aunt Gwendolyn Rush-Tisdale)
Solo…………………………………….Theresa Johnson “German Lullaby”
Acknowledgements……………………..Ronda Johnson
Obituary………………………………...Ronda Johnson
Solo……………………………..Pastor Clarence Powell
Eulogy…………………..Reverend Dorothy Isles Smith
RECESSIONAL
*Time for additional reflections from family and friends will be allotted at the Repast*
“I
