Jerlene Johnson

Jerlene Johnson, age 88, died January 7, 2025.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Jerlene Jennings Johnson was born on September 11, 1936, in Doddsville, Mississippi, to the late Ola Jennings and Lillian McClinton. She grew up in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where she embraced the values and traditions that shaped her life. Jerlene attended Marble Hill Baptist Church for elementary school and graduated from Gentry High School in Indianola, Mississippi, in 1957. At an early age, she accepted Christ at Marble Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. William Matthews.
Jerlene married Eddie Moore, Sr., and together they had four children: Barbara, Marvin, Everett, and Eddie. In 1964, the family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, where two more children, Angela and Jackie, were born. Jerlene became a member of St. Timothy Baptist Church under Rev. Gentry's leadership. After her divorce from Eddie Moore, Sr., she began working at Kellogg's Company in 1969, dedicating over 27 years to the company before retiring.
In 1974, Jerlene joined Pleasant Green Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. E.L. McKinney. There she met Rev. R.L. Johnson, whom she later married. He preceded her in death. Known affectionately as "Mother Johnson," Jerlene was deeply devoted to her church and attended faithfully until her health declined. She was known for her love of cooking and baking cakes, which brought joy to many.
Jerlene departed this life peacefully on January 7, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, surrounded by her children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother Patsy Harris; stepfather Ed Irving; husband Rev. R.L. Johnson; siblings Willie Earl Jennings, Rev. James Morgan Sr., Rev. Willie Morgan, Leola Hudson, Emma Jean Campbell, Ella Mae Morgan; stepsisters Rosetta Miller and Ruthie Irving; son Eddie Moore III; granddaughter ReNisha Johnson; and grandson Joseph Johnson.
She leaves to cherish her memory two sons: Marvin Moore (Barbara) and Everett Moore (Vera); three daughters: Barbara Masoud (Rick), Angela Conley (Carl), and Jackie Moore (Mark); one step-daughter Paulester Nince; one brother, Charles E. Jennings (Essie) of Chicago; one sister: Mae Ola Hall (Sidney) of Memphis; a special cousin Charlie McClinton; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.
May her memory bring comfort and peace to all who knew her.