BROOKLET - Mrs. Verna Mae Johnson, age 99, born Feb. 17, 1909, passed peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2008, at her residence under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. The native of Bulloch County was the daughter of the late Sam and Emma Johnson of the farming community. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Marvin Whitehead; her parents, two brothers, Sam Waldo and Grady Johnson; and a sister and brother-in-law, Gladys J. and Clarence A. Sasser. Mrs. Johnson lived in Atlanta for 25 years while married to her husband, Dr. Marvin Whitehead, a botany professor. She traveled extensively and enjoyed ballroom dancing. Mrs. Johnson was a professional seamstress. She was an avid gardener and served as secretary of the Fern Bank Garden Club in Atlanta. She returned from Atlanta in 1991 and lived in the county with her niece and her husband, Janet and Randall Bazemore. Mrs. Johnson was a deeply spiritual person and will be deeply grieved by all those who knew and loved her. Surviving is her niece and her husband, Janet and Randall Bazemore; a sister-in-law, Lottie A. Johnson of Statesboro; and a nephew and his wife, Gregory and Shari Sasser. Several additional loving nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews also survive. Visitation will be Friday from 11-11:50 a.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. The graveside service and burial will be at noon in the Eastside Cemetery in Statesboro. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements. Statesboro Herald, August 15, 2008 Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.