Betty B. Johns, 84
Betty B. Johns passed away peacefully on January 6, 2012, at her home in Sandy Springs. She was 84. She is survived by her sister Doris Groceman of Alpharetta; daughter and son-in-law, Celeste and Daniel Strohl of Atlanta; son Charles Sova of High Point NC; grandson Adam Strohl of Los Angeles; grandson Nathaniel Strohl and his wife Adrienne of Atlanta; grandson Christopher Sova and his wife Jennifer of High Point; granddaughter Whitney Sova of Wilmington, NC; great-grandchildren Alexis Wrenn, Hannah Strohl, Sadie Strohl, and Jaden Robertson; niece Claudia Regan, nephews Greg Stringer and Michael Ray, and their families. Ms. Johns was born in Atlanta in 1927. She graduated from Girl’s High in 1945 and earned a scholarship to study journalism. She moved to Jacksonville, FL where she worked as a file clerk for a small insurance company. She later was employed by the Crum and Forster Insurance Company in Durham, NC; Atlanta, GA; Metarie, LA; and Greensboro, NC. Ms. Johns pioneered the way for women in the insurance field by becoming one of the first female underwriters in the country, specializing in multi-peril coverage for industrial clients. She trained newly hired underwriters and taught classes in insurance at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Her insurance career culminated in the vice-presidency of the Dub Love Insurance Agency in Burlington, NC. In semi-retirement, she returned to Atlanta in 1990, where she worked as an underwriter in Acworth and later as the office manager for Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell and for the Camp Barney Medintz office at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center in Dunwoody. She also was a member of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody. Ms. Johns was devoted to her home and family throughout her life. Adored by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she especially enjoyed hosting activities that brought family together during holidays by decorating her home and preparing exquisite meals. In her spare time, Ms. Johns was also a skilled doll-maker, enjoyed travel, appreciated classical music, and volunteered in the community as a reading tutor. She was an avid supporter of liberal social causes and a contributor to the arts. She personified elegance, dignity, grace, and love of family, and will be greatly missed. Graveside services was held Monday, January 9, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Crestlawn Cemetery with Rabbi Scott Colbert officiating. Sign on-line guest book at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Road, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30327, or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
