Vernice Cotystene Johns Becknell departed this life on Monday, November 4, 2013. She was born January 3, 1939 in Roanoke, VA to the late Lula Virginia and Percell Johns.

"Coty" attended public schools in Roanoke, VA. She graduated from Lucy Addison High School in June 1957. By working for her uncle at Beane's Electric Company, she gained the necessary experience to join General Electric Company in Salem, VA. After relocating to Winston-Salem, NC in 1973, she worked for ITT-Grinnell in Kernersville and USAir in Greensboro before joining the staff at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. She retired as an Office Administrator in February 2013 following 26 years of dedicated service as a member of the Tanglewood and Forsyth County team.

As a young woman, she was a member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church of Roanoke. In her later years, she joined Second New Bethel Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC and remained a devoted member at the time of her passing.

"Coty" was married three times during her life to Robert David Cobbs, George Hairston, and the late James F. Becknell. Also preceding her in death were her brother, Percell Courtney "Buddy" Johns; her niece, Betty Ann "Little Bit" Johns, and her nephew, Clint Smith.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law and son, Bobbie Brown and R. David Cobbs, Jr.; grandchildren, Danielle Amonth Cobbs, Jayk David Cobbs, and Dallan Robert Cobbs; sister, Sandra Smith Jordan; three brothers, Roger "Johnny" Johns, Walter "Booty" Lester, and James "Jimmy" Smith; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10am Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Second New Bethel Baptist Church, 1900 New Walkertown Rd. W-S, NC 27101with Pastor Shannon Jessup officiating. The family visitation will be held from 9:30am until 10am on Saturday at the Church. Graveside services will be held at 3pm Saturday, November 9, 2013 in Williams Memorial Park, 943 Westside Blvd NW Roanoke, VA 24017 with Rev. Dr. Cedric E. Malone officiating. A repast will be held immediately following graveside services at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1810 Grayson Ave. NW Roanoke, VA 24017.

"Coty" will be sadly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to personally acknowledge the support she received from the staff at the Miller Street Dialysis Center, her co-workers at Tanglewood Park and Forsyth County, and her church family at Second New Bethel Baptist Church, especially her best friend of many years, in good times and bad, Ms. Harlena Wright.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.stopdiabetes.com



Photo: Vernice Cotystene Johns Becknell departed this life on Monday, November 4, 2013. She was born January 3, 1939 in Roanoke, VA to the late Lula Virginia and Percell Johns. "Coty" attended public schools in Roanoke, VA. She graduated from Lucy Addison High School in June 1957. By working for her uncle at Beane's Electric Company, she gained the necessary experience to join General Electric Company in Salem, VA. After relocating to Winston-Salem, NC in 1973, she worked for ITT-Grinnell in Kernersville and USAir in Greensboro before joining the staff at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. She retired as an Office Administrator in February 2013 following 26 years of dedicated service as a member of the Tanglewood and Forsyth County team. As a young woman, she was a member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church of Roanoke. In her later years, she joined Second New Bethel Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC and remained a devoted member at the time of her passing. "Coty" was married three times during her life to Robert David Cobbs, George Hairston, and the late James F. Becknell. Also preceding her in death were her brother, Percell Courtney "Buddy" Johns; her niece, Betty Ann "Little Bit" Johns, and her nephew, Clint Smith. She is survived by her daughter-in-law and son, Bobbie Brown and R. David Cobbs, Jr.; grandchildren, Danielle Amonth Cobbs, Jayk David Cobbs, and Dallan Robert Cobbs; sister, Sandra Smith Jordan; three brothers, Roger "Johnny" Johns, Walter "Booty" Lester, and James "Jimmy" Smith; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10am Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Second New Bethel Baptist Church, 1900 New Walkertown Rd. W-S, NC 27101with Pastor Shannon Jessup officiating. The family visitation will be held from 9:30am until 10am on Saturday at the Church. Graveside services will be held at 3pm Saturday, November 9, 2013 in Williams Memorial Park, 943 Westside Blvd NW Roanoke, VA 24017 with Rev. Dr. Cedric E. Malone officiating. A repast will be held immediately following graveside services at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1810 Grayson Ave. NW Roanoke, VA 24017. "Coty" will be sadly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to personally acknowledge the support she received from the staff at the Miller Street Dialysis Center, her co-workers at Tanglewood Park and Forsyth County, and her church family at Second New Bethel Baptist Church, especially her best friend of many years, in good times and bad, Ms. Harlena Wright. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.stopdiabetes.com