Beverly Jean (Stitts) Johnson was born on November 15, 1939, in Jackson, Tennessee.  She departed this life on October 12, 2026, following a brief illness.

She was the daughter of Oliver Lee Stitts, Jr. and Queen Esther (Ellison) Stitts.  In 1949, after the untimely death of their mother, Beverly and her sisters relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where they were raised by their aunt and uncle, Augusta and Hosea Pharr.

Raised in a Christian home, Beverly accepted Christ at an early age. Her spiritual journey began at Home Baptist Church in Jackson. After moving to Cleveland, she attended Friendship Baptist Church for many years and later belonged to several churches in the area as she continued seeking spiritual fulfillment and a nurturing church family. Through it all, until the end of her life, her love of the Lord and her faith never wavered.  One of her favorite scriptures was Matthew 19:26: “With God all things are possible.”

She attended Cleveland Public Schools where she excelled academically and participated in many activities.  She graduated from East High School in 1957.  Shortly after graduating, she met and later married the late Eljay Dial.  To that union one daughter was born, Michelle Denise Dial (Mitzi).  Following the sudden death of Eljay in 1962, Beverly later married the late James Johnson (Jeff) in 1967.  To that union two children were born, Lisa Cheryl Johnson and Jeffrey James Johnson.

Beverly pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, earning a diploma in Practical Nursing from Jane Addams High School in 1963 and an associate’s degree in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College in 1971. She became a licensed Registered Nurse in Ohio in 1972 and later obtained her nursing license in Tennessee in 1985.

She loved nursing and caring for others.  Over the span of her 35-plus-year career, she worked in multiple hospitals and care facilities in Cleveland including:  Mt. Sinai, Kaiser, Huron Road, St. Lukes and Lutheran Hospitals as well as Willow Park Nursing & Rehab and Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing & Rehab.  Affectionately nicknamed “B.J’” by her coworkers, she thrived in the nursing environment and excelled in her career.  She worked hard and made her way up the ranks as a charge nurse, head nurse, nursing supervisor and ultimately a nurse manager for many years.  The nurses she led adored her, and many went on to become lifelong friends.  While she loved all areas of nursing, her greatest joy was working in mental health where she spent the bulk of her career.  Nursing was such a part of her life that even in retirement she continued to stay connected to the field as an evaluator with the State of Ohio administering written and skills testing for nursing assistants until 2014.

Above all, Beverly loved her family without bounds. Compassionate and generous, she was always ready to lend a hand or offer words of encouragement to anyone that needed it. She especially enjoyed hosting family gatherings.  From spirited game nights with her siblings playing Pokeno and Yahtzee for pennies to hosting the annual family Christmas gift exchange, she looked forward to every opportunity to spend time with family.  A wonderful mother and excellent cook, she would jokingly reply to compliments about her food, “I put my foot in it!”

Beverly loved being with her five grandchildren and always supported them every step of the way.  She was at every birthday celebration, graduation, play, concert, game, and award ceremony.  She was especially elated to be a part of her oldest granddaughter Brittani’s wedding.  She stressed education to them and was very proud of their accomplishments which so far has produced two PhD’s, one MD and two who are currently pursuing bachelor’s degrees.  She was also very proud of her great-granddaughter, Winter, and loved hearing about her milestones and funny stories.

Almost as much as family, Beverly loved to travel.  She was always ready to go.  Her suitcase could be packed and ready at a moment’s notice.  She went on numerous trips with family and friends, especially with her brother Frank and his family.  Her travels took her throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and abroad to the Caribbean.  She always made it a point to return to her beloved hometown of Jackson, Tennessee every year to visit family.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents Queen Esther and Oliver Lee Stitts, Jr., brothers Frank Simon Stitts (Dorothea), James David Stitts, Wilford Ronald Stitts and Don Elton Stitts; her sisters Bettye Jane Jones (Wilton), Dorelia Yvonne Sharp (John), Carolyn Ann Brown (Ralph), and a sister Patricia Stitts who died in infancy.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children, Michelle Saafir (Alvin), Lisa Johnson-Taylor (Mike) and Jeffrey Johnson; her grandchildren, Dr. Brittani Saafir-Callaway (Everette), Dr. Amirah Saafir, Dr. Aaliyah Saafir, Mia Taylor and Michael Taylor; her great-granddaughter, Winter Callaway; her bonus daughter, Tara Johnson Lamont; and her bonus granddaughter, Tori Lamont.  She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, dear neighbors and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the National Black Nurses Association.

https://nbna.org