Verlena Headd

Verlena Johnson was born on Tuesday, April 26, 1932, in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the late Allen and Dorothy Johnson. She was the oldest of 11 children. Verlena was a loved child raised in a Christian home where the Word of God had never left her. She excepted Christ at an early age. At 87, she departed this life on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at her home in Columbus, Ohio.

Verlena graduated from St. Francis High School in Yazoo City in 1949. After graduation, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, but returned to Mississippi four years later to marry her high school love, J.C. Lowe on June 27, 1953. They relocated to Detroit, Michigan and to this 22-year union, four children were born: Linda Denise, Terry Renard, Ricky Edward and Matina Lynne. She worked for William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan for 26 years as a Nursing Assistant in Psychiatric Services. She truly loved her job.

Verlena married the late Rev. James Lee Headd on May 29, 1988. For a few years, they lived in New Boston, Michigan, then decided to build their home and retire to Weir, Mississippi on her husband’s family property. She was a long-time member of the Eastern Star and First Lady at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, Mississippi until her failing health. After the death of her beloved husband, she moved to Columbus, Ohio in November 2019 to be near her siblings.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, O.C., William, Louis and Lee; husband, Rev. James Lee Headd; daughter, Linda Denise Lowe; son, Ricky Edward Lowe and granddaughter, Desiree Dijon Lowe-Johnson.

She leaves to celebrate her transition and cherish memories: son, Terry Lowe (Ann); daughter, Matina Lowe (Roscoe); granddaughter, Ryan Nicole Lowe; great-grandson, RaKhem Ajani Lowe-Johnson; brothers, Melvin Johnson, James (Mary) Johnson; sisters, Dorothy (Leroy) Brown, Diane (Robert) Harris; extended family, daughter, Donna (Gary) Cook; sons, James Roosevelt Headd, James Jr. (Angela) Headd and Tremayne Headd; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Private Services entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Tuesday, March 31, 2020.