Lois H. Johnson

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Lois H. Johnson was born in Oak Hill, Al, on December 27, 1932, to the late Julia (McReynolds) and Amos Harris. She was the seventh of eleven children. She was preceded in death by all her siblings: Mary, Nancy, Virginia, Annie, Lola (twin), Dorothy and brothers: James, Robert, Frank, and Albert. She was wed to James C. Johnson on December 28, 1958, who also preceded her in death. To this union, three sons were born, all of whom survived her, James II of Indianapolis, Jeffrey (Denetta) also of Indianapolis and Josh (Sharon) of Gary, Indiana. Lois had a legacy that includes her five grandchildren, whom also survived her, Jameka, Joslyn, James III, Jayla, and Jasmine.
Lois attended Pineapple High School and graduated as their Valedictorian and Class President. She continued her education and graduated from Alabama State College (now University) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She began her teaching career in Alabama. However, Lois soon migrated north with her young family and began teaching for the Chicago Board of Education, where she spent the next 34+ years educating children from elementary through middle school. During that time, she returned to Alabama State to complete her Master’s Degree in Education in 1977. It was also during this time that Lois and her family joined Greater St. James AME Church in Gary, Indiana where she served on the Usher Board, Stewardess Board, and was a Daughters of Allen, in addition to many other capacities that she faithfully served until her death.

“Ma” as she was affectionately called by her sons loved sports,especially basketball. She played small forward in high school. Lois also loved to travel, and throughout her years, travel she most definitely did. It has often been said by those who knew her, that “Lois did not let any grass grow under her feet”. While dedicated to home, work and church, she still found time to travel across the United States often with family. Even as a young mother she took her two youngest sons to France. But once she retired, Lois really took flight, traveling to several countries, including Canada, Brazil, France, Italy, Africa, Greece, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Thailand, England and others. Even into early 60’s, Lois had an adventurous spirit that was alive and well, having ridden so-called thrill rides at various amusement parks without a care in the world with her grandchildren.

Lois believed in the power of education, and to that effect, she enrolled while in her 70’s at Indiana Purdue University Northwest, where she studied and successfully completed several computer classes. Lois also supported and steered her three sons through their college years, as well as supporting and watching her five grandchildren graduate from college as well. She always had a comforting and encouraging word. A dedicated bible reader and verse quoter, she was desperately loved and will be terribly missed by her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, a host of family, friends, and anyone who knew or ever met her.