MARY E. JOHNSON

On Monday, April 16, 2012, God in his infinite wisdom, called from labor to reward our beloved Deaconess Mary E. Johnson, of Dinwiddie County, Va.

She was born March 24, 1919, the fifth child to the late Everette W. Bonner and Lillian Swann Bonner. She received her early education from the Prince George County Public School System. Having a sincere desire to continue her education, she completed the Providence Baptist Church Adult Education Class.

At an early age, she became a member of the Providence Baptist Church, Prince George County, Va. She has been an integral and vital part of the church since her joining. She possessed a genuine love for music and serving the kingdom of God. Deaconess Johnson has been a faithful, diligent, and devoted member of the church family. She loved to lift up the name of God, having sung with the Jubilee Chorus, the Brenda M. Bonner Memorial Choir, and the Prince George Fellowship of Churches Gospel Ensemble, for which she was a former president. Her commitment to service was also displayed through 38 years of dedicated service as the church clerk. She was also a member of the Seniors Ministry, an original member of the PBC Hospitality Committee, a member of the Kings Daughter's Missionary Ministry, where she served as president for over 20 years, a founder of the Deaconess Ministry and an original sponsor of the Busy Bee Ministry. However, one of her greatest passions was teaching the Intermediate Sunday School Class for over 68 years. Throughout the years, she taught several generations of children about the love of God in her classes and through her actions.

In the community, she served faithfully within the Bethany Baptist Association as the Women's Convention president, a member of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, and a member and regular attendee of the National Baptist Convention, USA. She was a former troop leader for Boy Scout Troop #948 of the Robert E. Lee Council, former member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the NAACP, member of the Order of the Eastern Star, former member of the Prince George Fellowship of Churches Scholarship Committee and past president of the Reams Social Club. She retired as a housekeeping supervisor from Southside Virginia Training Center. Deaconess Johnson was an avid cook, traveler, reader and loving person who opened her home and heart to all who knew her. She lived her life by her favorite motto, "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you".

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Christopher Anderson Sr. and Louis Johnson; and beloved daughter, Lillian A. Williams; siblings, Otelia, Esther, John, Jesse, Robert, Arthur and Samuel.

She leaves to cherish her memories two loving sons, Christopher Anderson (Mary) and Marvin Johnson, both of Dinwiddie, Va.; seven grandchildren, Keith Lee, Kevin Lee, Howard Williams, Andre Anderson, Adrian (Teresa) Anderson, all of Petersburg, Va., Jasmine Anderson of Dinwiddie, Va., and Crystal Anderson of Virginia Beach, Va.; 16 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Sallie Myrick of Dinwiddie, Va., and Rosa Gee of Prince George, Va.; and sister-in-law, Carrie Bonner of Prince George, Va. "Mother Johnson," "Merford," "Aunt Mary" and "Miss Mary" was constantly surrounded by a host of devoted nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gee, Beverly Curley and the staff members of Golden Living Center (Battlefield Park), Adult Healthcare Solutions, Southside Regional Medical Center, All About Care and Care Advantage.

A celebration of love and life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at the Providence Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va., with the Rev. D. Tyrone Brandon Sr. officiating and the Rev. Horace Jones eulogizing. Burial will commence at the Bonner Family Cemetery, Dinwiddie, Va.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home, 530 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg, 804-863-4411.