Services will be celebrated Monday, January 18, 2016; 2:00 p.m. at Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Petty was a centurion who was reared in Campti, LA and lived in the Bay Area of California most of her adult life. She was the sister of the late Ben D. Johnson who founded Winnfield Funeral Homes and Winnfield Life Insurance Company. Mrs. Petty passed away at the age of 103.

A feisty centurion that we knew as Emily Johnson Silvie Petty has risen to the climax of her earthly sojourn and transitioned to higher plane beyond. She was born August 10, 1912 in the town of Campti, Louisiana to the parentage of the late Mr. Thornton Johnson and Mrs. Sarah Williams Johnson as the fourth of ten children which were the fruit of that union. This unforgettable character joined that innumerable caravan during the early morning hours of January 14, 2016 while a resident of the Natchitoches Community Care Center at the beautiful age of 103.
This quick-witted young lady followed the example of Christian life which characterized her home's atmosphere and established a personal relationship with God, was baptized and joined the St. Peter Baptist Church of Campti, LA during her youth. Upon relocation to Oakland, California during the World War II era, she became an integral part of the Star Bethel Baptist Church congregation and remained a loyal and active member until her return to her native home where she united with the First Baptist Church, North Street.
Mrs. Petty was a bright and energetic student who excelled in her academic studies while maintaining a spotlight on the basketball team at what was then the Natchitoches Parish Training School. She became a class favorite after completing grammar school studies in the Campti area and completing all requirements for receiving her high school diploma in 1930. Having an innate desire to fully develop, she pressed forward in the educational realm and studied for a significant period of time at was then Grambling College pursuing a teaching credential.
Her career path was characterized by great diversity. Its foundation was in classroom instruction in the rural Natchitoches Parish Schools; however, the greatest professional contribution to her credit is that of being a sought-after real estate broker in the Oakland, CA community for many years. Her convincing smile and her "gift of gab" made her a property broker of great note in the Bay Area.
She found love in her native home and married the late Mr. Paul Silvie. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Barbara, who predeceased her. In the ensuing years, she married Mr. Clifton Petty after relocating to the Oakland, CA.
Sister Petty also chose to express her perspective this earthly journey through her long-standing and diligent affiliation with the Order of Eastern Star in the Oakland, CA area. She was a regular attender, sister in good standing and even became elected to regionally recognized offices within the fraternal order on a number of occasions.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her daughter, three brothers, Ben D. Johnson, Robert Johnson and Joseph Johnson; 5 sisters, Irma Washington, Bessie Johnson, Wilhelmenia Rodgers, Gertrude Walker and Marion Prymus.
Her spirit will live on in her survivors including four grandchildren: Jasmine Banks, Cynthia Banks, Mark Banks and Candice Perilaut (Mark) all of Oakland, CA; 4 great grandchildren: Tracy, Dominique, Marquis and Jonathan all of the Bay Area of California; a sister, Myrtis Head of Shreveport, LA; a niece who assumed the role of a daughter, Claire Prymus, confidantes and loving caretakers, Annette Johnson and Marlene Washington along with a number of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.