Berta Lee (Gray) Johnson passed from the woes of this world to enter the kingdom of heaven on October 24, 2021. A proud conservative, she had devoted much of her life to teaching English and Spanish at high schools in Conroe, Texas; Ninnekah and Sterling, Oklahoma, also serving as school librarian in Sterling. Born in Oklahoma City on December 18, 1931, she graduated from SF Austin High School in Houston, Texas. She was the first woman admitted to the Animal Husbandry major at Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma A&M), but graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, acquiring her Masters in Library Science at OU in Norman and also attending art classes at USAO in Chickasha.
Berta Lee, nicknamed Lauren, was an accomplished marksman, barrel racer, rodeo queen and artist. She always said her real legacies are her children, Dr. David Roberts, MD, a world record setting Olympian in the pole vault; and Mark Roberts, a professional classical musician, both of whom survive her along with their respective wives, Fahaa (Baden) Roberts and Karen (Hutchins) Roberts; her grandchildren, gifted songwriter Bronwen Roberts and her husband Victor Maldonado; Clifton Roberts, a Silicon Valley programmer; and his daughter Aria. She and her children are members of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Berta is also survived by her sister and husband, Ann & Howard Victery of Ninnekah, their children Joe & wife Kourtney Victery, LeeAnn Victery and firefighter husband Ricky Burns. Nephew and nieces: Joseph & Emma Victery, and Amelia Burns.
Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of renowned Oklahoma and Choctaw Aviator Luther Emery Gray and his wife Edith Bernice (Armour) Gray, who predeceased her in 1994 and 2018, respectively. She spent her retiring years enjoying her horses, dogs and cats on her beloved ranch with loving husband Danny B. Johnson, who survives her. Always quick with a smile, a laugh, or a hug, Berta Lee will be sorely missed in this world, which reluctantly bequeaths her back to her Lord Jesus Christ.
Graveside service will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 29, 2021, at Ninnekah Cemetery, Peach Street (70 County Road 1430).
Services are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.