FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Geniece Johnson, Fairhope’s City Clerk since 1997 and past president of the state municipal clerks association, died Tuesday after a prolonged struggle with cancer.

“Geniece was a very dedicated city employee and an asset to our clerk’s association,” said Iva Nelson, city clerk of Gadsden and current president of the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks and Administrators. “She served in every position with our group and was president in 2006. She was a kind person to every one she met. This weekend our association conference in Guntersville State Park will have a rose in remembrance of her and a moment of silence to her memory.”

Johnson, 41, was well known among her fellow municipal clerks, not only in the state but across the country. When Assistant City Clerk Lisa Hanks arrived at work Wednesday morning, she said the office voice mail was flooded with messages of condolence.

“The calls were from all over,” Hanks said. “We also heard from the international association of clerks. Geniece will be so missed by so many people.”

Johnson began employment with the city of Fairhope in 1993, when she was hired as assistant city clerk to then-city clerk Evelyn Phillips.

“Evelyn told me that she had finally found a really good assistant,” said Diane Barnett, former city clerk of Citronelle. “The first time I saw her was at a fashion show benefit for breast cancer in Point Clear. She was in the show and was so pretty. We all always thought she was so pretty — inside and out. She was the type of person that no matter what you needed, she would get it for you.”

A native of Foley, Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in business finance in 1991 from the University of South Alabama. She was also a graduate of Leadership Baldwin County, and served on the organization’s steering committee, as well as being a member of the Alabama Historical Records Advisory Board, serving on its Local Government Records Commission.

“I’m heartbroken,” said Gadsden Assistant City Clerk Ginny Shaver. “She was such a joyous person. You could not be in the room with her and be in bad mood. She had such a joyous spirit. Even with all she was going through, you would never know it.”

Johnson was a member of the Word of Life Community Church in Chickasaw, secretary of the Rose of Sharon Order of Eastern Star No. 617, and was very involved with Volunteer Action.

“Geniece was a very special person, a great asset to the city, and a good friend to us all,” Mayor Tim Kant said. “We send our very sincere condolences to her husband, Kenny, her mother, Shirley, and the rest of her family.”

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth E. Johnson and her mother, Shirley W. Pratt, both of Daphne; a sister, Bridgett Davis of Foley; a brother, Kevin L. Watkins of Jacksonville, Fla.; and her grandmother, Geneva Williams of Foley.

“She was a wonderful wonderful person,” said Cathy Constantino, city clerk of Orange Beach. “She went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to her job. I know she will be missed by all her friends and fellow clerks.”

The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Word of Life Community Church in Chickasaw. A graveside service followed at 2 p.m., at Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley.

“Geniece was a wonderful friend and colleague,” said Mary Lynn Williams, city clerk of Spanish Fort. “For the past 10 years we’ve had many good laughs and cries. I will truly truly miss her. We shared a special bond and called ourselves sisters.”

Prayer of Victory

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you that it is Your will that I prosper and be in good health, even as my soul prospers.

Today, I take authority over my mind and I cast down imaginations and thoughts that are contrary to Your Word and Will for my life.

I thank You that I’m no longer conformed to this world, but I am transformed by the renewing of my mind. I make a quality decision to fill my mind and meditate on things that are true, noble right, pure and admirable. That I might live and walk in Victory All the Time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now read Romans 12:1-3 from your Bible.

“Geniece was diagnosed with liver cancer about five years ago,” Mayor Tim Kant said, discussing the special item he has carried with him that Johnson gave him not along after her diagnosis. “We had just gone through Hurricane Ivan, and we were trying to put the city back together. It was a very trying time.”

Johnson gave Kant three white business cards printed in purple ink describing a “Prayer of Victory,” he said.

“She said, ‘This is the prayer I use every day to get through this (cancer),’ “ he said..

Kant said Johnson told him the cards were for his office, his bedside, and one to carry with him.

“She told me, “If you’ll read this every day, it will help you with everything you think is a problem,’” he said.

The card has been in Kant’s wallet since that day.