Verna Louise Waters, nee Johnson, 87, slipped away after a prolonged illness at Provision Living, Walton, KY on May 12, 2025.  Better known to all those who loved her merely as “Vern,” she was born on July 15, 1937 in Pendleton Co., KY to Wesley Johnson and Velletta Hamilton Johnson.

For over 25 years, Verna was a successful real estate agent, building her own company from the ground up. Verna’s own home was a stunning testament to her decorating and design skills, looking as her family put it “like something from a magazine.”

A woman of faith, Verna was a fan of Christian gospel music. She was a life-long believer in the Baptist tradition. She had a soft spot for both animals and even though she had none of her own, children. Her eyes would dazzle and light up whenever she was in the presence of either.  Verna adored the many dogs who served as her furry companions over the years and in general was a monumental appreciator of wildlife (especially bears).  She and her husband Ron spent many placid days and evenings at their beautiful and secluded home or traveling and hiking in the Smokey Mountains, simply observing and absorbing the majesty of nature and God’s creation.  The loss of this adventurous, classy, compassionate, and occasionally silly lady will be deeply felt.   

Vern was the sister of Mike Johnson (Sally) and Connie Faulkner; aunt to Shelly Ponder (Brent), Brian Tackett (Becky) and Amanda Schumacher (Matt); great aunt to Samantha Klein, Mitchell Ponder, Bailey Tackett, Brittney Tackett and Weslin Schumacher. She was also the beloved former sister-in-law and friend to Joyce Johnson.  Vern was hugged and welcomed into Heaven by her husband Ronald Waters, her parents and her niece Lori Johnson.

Services are being held privately at the convenience of the family.  Memorial donations can be either mailed or made online to Bluegrass Care Navigators Hospice, 1733 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital,  501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To leave an online condolence for the family or to share a memory or photo of Verna, please visit the tabs on this page  www.chambersandgrubbs.com.