Valerie Counts

Valerie Michele Johnson Counts, dearly beloved wife of Nathaniel Dwayne Counts, and eldest daughter of Corine Jenkins Johnson and the late James Edward Johnson Sr., was a native of Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia. From the onset of her life, January 10, 1964, until her final day on earth, June 2, 2023, she filled hearts, rooms, places, and spaces with an abundance of joy and enormous radiance. As a child, Val accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Bennett Union Baptist Church in Jesup, Georgia in the early 1970s. During this formative season of life, she learned to serve the Lord with gladness, developed a personal relationship with God, and committed to doing the work of the Lord while it was yet day. Nurtured as a leader by her father, mother, and the village of Wayne County, Valerie excelled academically in school and engaged socially throughout the community in church as well as various civic organizations via achievements of scholastic honor, the designation of Who's Who Amongst American High School students, and membership in the Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, the yearbook staff, journalism club, officer in the Student Government Association, contestant for Miss Sweet Heart, attendant on the homecoming court, and student leader in the Wayne County Youth Branch of the NAACP. Upon graduating high school with honors in 1982, Valerie attended the University of Georgia in Athens where she majored in Journalism, gained a sea of friends, and partied non-stop like a Rock Star lol when she could. Throughout her matriculation in college, she remained focused and determined to succeed in anything and everything that she aspired to do and/or become. However, unbeknownst to her parents at the time, Val also set her mind, body, soul, and vehicle on the road to Atlanta when she was supposed to be in Athens studying and was somewhat successful in concealing her trips until her father began routinely checking the mileage on her vehicle and discovered the "distant" adventures she had been undertaking. lol As noted in the lyrics of the song by Sade', Val was simply a "smooth operator" who was determined to make "Hotlanta", HER LANTA! In 1986, Valerie graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism and obtained the distinction of becoming the first African-American UGA graduate from Wayne County, Georgia. After graduating college, Val quickly lol moved to Atlanta to embark upon a remarkable life and an extraordinary 36-year career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On February 8, 1987, she began her initial assignment with the IRS. Then, along an awesome journey there, she became a dedicated and valuable employee who worked in several areas and held multiple positions throughout her career. In March 2011, she successfully completed the Senior Manager Readiness Program. After which, Campus Collection Atlanta selected her as Operations Manager for Automated Collection Systems (ACS) and Automated Collections Support Systems (ACSS). After holding these leadership posts for a significant number of years, Val transitioned to Senior Manager of Compliance Service Collection Operations (CSCO) before returning to ACS in September of 2020. As Senior Manager, Valerie supervised, managed, and trained as many as 250 employees, worked closely with leaders in program development, and assisted the directorate as the Interim Planning and Analysis Chief. Year after year, she advanced to various levels, roles, and responsibilities in senior management which built a remarkable career in government that cap stoned at 36 years. An avid UGA and Atlanta Falcons fan, Val was a seasonal ticket holder for over 25 years and was the ultimate tailgater with the greatest of grilled delights. Without question, she enjoyed the love of sports so much that she and her future husband traveled to London, England in 2014 to attend and support the Falcons who lost in a major upset to the Detroit Lions. Whether in defeat or victory, Valerie/Lady V was loyal just the same. If there was a game to be held or a party to be had, Valerie was indeed at the center of making things work. She was also a wine connoisseur who held membership in a group called the Soulful Sipsters and basked in every opportunity to fellowship with friends and family. Reading great books, volunteering to feed the hungry, enjoying delicious foods of all sorts, preparing for holiday gatherings, and partaking in a medley of marvelous libations were the hallmark of her hobbies and her well-lived life. In addition to her sports spectatorship and loyalties, Val really, really loved to travel. From her road trip ventures with her girlfriends to her many international cruises, flights, and excursions, Mrs. Valerie Johnson Counts was to be "counted in" at all times. Some of her trips abroad included Costa Rica, Panama, Hawaii, Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Cancun, Turks and Caicos, London, Paris, Curacao, Columbia, St. Thomas - Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Mexico City, and many other wonderful locations. Val knew how to embrace life to the fullest and how to share her love with others who were not as fortunate or incredibly blessed as she. That is actually one of the greatest attributes that she possessed. Throughout her life, Valerie understood the importance of sharing her love, resources, time, talents, and gifts with others and she did so without reservation. In 2013, Val was blessed to meet her optimal friend, confidant, and the love of her life, Nathaniel "Nate" Dwayne Counts of Charleston, South Carolina. Forever full of surprises, she presented him to her family and friends as her birthday gift to herself during her 50th birthday celebration in 2014. From this powerful, wonderful, and loving bond, an amazing courtship blossomed, and while on vacation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2017, Nate sealed the deal on a spectacular life by proposing to Valerie at The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, to signify that her love had lifted him higher. Soon thereafter, Val orchestrated an incredible destination wedding in Aruba with close family and friends. There is no doubt, Val was well-loved, lived life abundantly, praised God consistently, and will be missed incredibly. To have her as wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, classmate, close neighbor, or friend, was to experience the essence of unconditional love. Now that GOD has spoken, the church indeed must say AMEN! Valerie Counts was preceded in death by her father, James E. Johnson Sr., oldest brother, Gary Lavon Johnson, and older brother, James Edward Johnson Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy the following persons and loved ones: Her husband: Nate Dwayne Counts, 3 step-children: Mahogani, Christopher, and Jamya Counts, her mother: Corine J. Johnson, her sisters: Latonya Marie Johnson-Murphy and Katonya Olivia Johnson, her brother: Adair Tyrone Johnson, her sister in law: Adlene Johnson, her uncle: Rosby (Debbie) Lee, her aunt: Arlene (Jimmy) Cotton, special brother-cousin Granville (Kathy) Scott, her nieces: Quintina Johnson, Lydia Cox, Christan Johnson, Jamie Daniels, and Chastity Murphy. her nephews: Gary Johnson Jr, Jeremiah Johnson, Stephen Johnson, Daniel Johnson, and Aamir Walker along with a host of great nieces, great nephews, many relatives, life-long friends, colleagues, and associates. Viewing & Funeral Information: Viewing will take place Friday, June 9th, 2023 from 6 -8 pm. at Gregory Levett & Sons Funeral Homes 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway Decatur, Georgia 30034 Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 12 noon at Celebration of Life Services for Valerie Counts will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM. These services will be recorded and streamed live. If the event is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire event will be uploaded and available to view later in the day. Please copy and paste the link to share, or simply click on the link to view the event. https://vimeo.com/829117683 New Birth Missionary Baptist Church 6400 Woodrow Road Stonecrest, GA 30038 Also note, the final viewing will take place 11 a.m. - 12 noon (1 hour prior to the start of service). The repast will take place immediately following the service and before the interment. For those who cannot travel to Valerie Johnson Count's homegoing celebration in Atlanta, please note that the Wayne County community live stream viewing of the service in Jesup and the signing of the bereavement registry will take place at 12 noon on June 10th at Community Chapel Funeral Home 2524 U.S. 341 Jesup, Georgia 31545 Service entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory-South DeKalb Chapel 404.241.5656

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Valerie Counts

January 10, 1964 - June 2, 2023