06/22/2025
It is with deep sadness that the African Violet Club of Greater Atlanta shares the passing of our beloved member and friend, Johnnie Berry. She passed away on June 20, 2025 after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family.
To say the Johnnie was a plant lover would be an understatement. She was a Master Gardener, member of eight plant clubs, plus the Garden Clubs of Georgia. At one time she held the title of Treasurer for four different clubs and also held several other positions within these organizations.
Ultimately, African violets and other gesneriads became Johnnie’s passion and in 1981 discovered and joined The African Violet Club of Greater Atlanta (AVCGA). She rarely missed a meeting over these last 40-plus years and twice served as club president. She shared her knowledge with everyone and grew hundreds of plants that she shared in “round robins” with club members and anyone who needed a start. She was also an African violet and gesneriads judge during all this time.
Johnnie’s other memberships included our regional society, The Dixie African Violet Society, attending many of its conventions and held the titles of Treasurer and Membership Coordinator for many years; our national society, The African Violet Society of America (AVSA), attending many national conventions and judging at many of them. She served on several AVSA committees and was a Director in 2016-17. Just last year she was awarded the AVSA’s prestigious Mabel and Glenn Hudson Award for Outstanding Affiliate Leadership; and she was also a member of the Gesneriad Society, where she also served as a Director for two years.
Johnnie was a vital and active participant in all the clubs and societies of which she was a member. We know that her loss will leave a void that will be felt by the AVCGA each time we enter our meeting space.
Rest in Peace, sweet Johnnie.
