A memorial service for Bernell Johnson Dewees, age 93, of Brownwood, will be held at 4:00 PM, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at St. John’s Anglican Church, with Fr. Michael Mobley officiating.

Bernell passed from this life on January 16, 2025, in Brownwood.

Bernell Johnson was born on January 28, 1931, in Winters to Claud and Linnie (Doggett) Johnson.  She was raised in Fort Worth and graduated from Fort Worth Polytechnic High School.  Bernell married Jess Dewees in 1953.  They moved to Brownwood in 1956 where Jess was the golf pro at Brownwood Country Club and Bernell worked in the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office. In 1964, Bernell went to work at Davis-Morris Funeral Home as the office manager.  She held this position for 33 years before retiring in 1997. Bernell was known to run a tight ship at Davis-Morris. She also attended Howard Payne University while working at the funeral home and came up just a few hours short of earning her degree.

Bernell was a faithful, longtime, and active member of St. John’s Anglican Church, joining in March of 1958.  She also enjoyed shopping trips to Fort Worth, working in her yard, travelling, was an excellent cook, and enjoyed the “Birthday Club” that met for lunch monthly.

Bernell is survived by her adopted daughter, Carla Tate, of Brownwood, her grand dog, Maximilian Tate, and a host of friends that loved her dearly.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

A huge thank you to the nurses and staff of Gentiva Hospice for love and care shown to Bernell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John’s Church, 700 Main Street, Brownwood, 76801.

Condolences, memories, and tributes to Bernell can be shared at heartlandfuneralhome.com