"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to her!" Luke1:45 KJV

Obituary

Clariece was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, and a cherished friend to so many. Clariece Oliver Johnston was born March 24, 1927, in Birmingham, (Jefferson County) Alabama. She was the sixth of nine children born to the union of her Mother, Bolden
Griffith and father Smith Robertson Oliver, Sr.

Clariece was extremely talented and excelled academically, She was a graduate of A. H. Parker High School and attended Nyack College. By the time she was 19 she was proficient in typing, mathematics, and writing (her handwriting was literally a work of art). Clariece's skills in mathematics and writing were so exceptional that she was asked to take the position of secretary at Burnetta C. Hill Elementary School
(formally Graymont Colored School) serving as the only secretary from 1947-1995, where the students, faculty, other staff, and parents as well as the community at large held her to the highest esteem. Clariece Oliver married the love of her life George Roy Johnston, Jr., on February 17, 1949. To this union were born, Michael Bruce, Phillip Anthony, and Roy Gerard Johnston, and one daughter, Carol Susan Johnston.

Being a wife and mother were the cornerstones of her life, in addition to being proficient in her career. At an inopportune moment in her thirty-plus-year marriage she found herself a widow, for which she was ill-prepared. However, this situation did not defeat her. She maintained her dignity and quiet demeanor with a calming influence was an example to all who knew her. She had a spirit of giving and laughter. She tried to make anyone that crossed her path have a better life, if she could contribute in any way. She believed that "to whom much is given, much is expected." Clariece practiced that philosophy throughout her life.

Clariece loved music, you could find her playing the piano or listening to a variety of music from Beethoven to Prince. She made certain to fill her home with the sounds of love, laughter and music. This was especially notable during her favorite holiday season: Christmas. With her home ornately adorned with a live Christmas Tree and music playing the Nutcracker and other carols of the season. Christmas was an incredibly special time for the entire family, Clariece was meticulous! Her sewing and crocheting were known to be as perfect as her cooking and accounting. From her famous macaroni and cheese, homemade ice cream, to her crochet dollies, no detail was overlooked. Her meticulous nature was also evident in her puzzle and crossword puzzle hobbies. When asked how she completed one of her hardest puzzles, The Black Cat, Clariece stated that she completed the puzzle with the image face down. Prue Genius!!! She also loved to work crossword puzzles published in the Birmingham News.
Everyone knew not to discard the paper before she had a chance to read the paper, look at the sales, and get the puzzle. That action would cause a bee to invade her bonnet. These mind stirring activities served to keep her mind intellectually engaged. Enhancing her sharp mind and her incredible wit, Clariece was a devoted grandmother and enjoyed spending time watching over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren
as long as she was physically able to do so. During her convalescence period, she was filled with joy upon the visit from her many family and extended family members and friends. Their visits invoked pure joy on her face along with a relaxing spirit.

Clariece was preceded in death by her loving husband George Roy Johnston, Jr., her father, Smith Robertson Oliver, Sr., mother, Blonden Griffith Oliver; and eight siblings, sisters, Carolyn Stevens, Blondene Woodruff, Sybil Stone, and Rosalia Williams, along with brothers, Smith Robertson Oliver, Jr., Harold Douglas Oliver, Fredrick Logwood Oliver, and C. Herbert Oliver, Sr.

Clariece Oliver Johnston gained her heavenly wings on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7:40 in the evening surrounded by her family in her home of more than seventy years.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her children, Michael Bruce Johnston, Phillip Anthony(Denise) Johnston, Carol Johnston McInstosh (Jesse) Brown, Roy Gerard (Barbara) Johnston; a number of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-
law, Herman Kenneth (Bettye) Johnston, and McDaniel Alfred Johnston; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Johnston Hailey, and Gladys Johnston (Clarence) McGee; a devoted cousin, Alta Lee; a life-long friend, Betty Black; other relatives, and friends.