Ella Mae Johnson

Ella Mae Johnson( affectionately, called Sister-Ree) was born to the late Lula Mae Townes and Hayward Demory, Sr. on October 28, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland. After a very lengthy illness she departed this life on April 1, 2011. Sister-Ree attended School in the Baltimore City School System including Booker T. Washington Junior High School and graduated from Douglass High School, in 1955. She accepted Christ at a very early age and attended Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She later joined Saint Paul Baptist Church where she attended until her health began to fail. On March 9,1957 she married the late John Johnson, Jr. to this union, seven children were born, three girls and four boys. Ella's lifelong career included employment by Leatherrite Cleaners for over 25 years. She held many jobs at this company, included a supervisory management position. She was later employed by Lord Baltimore Cleaners. In 2000, when her health started to fail, she elected to stop working. Ella was a wonderful mother, devoted caregiver and generous provider. For many years, she was the primary caregiver for her mother and her late younger brother , Hayward “Peanie” Demory. While raising her seven children, she was always willing and available to help in raising her grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She could always be counted on to be there for all the family. She had a special heart for one of her great-nephews,Eric “Eggie” Townes, who preceded her in death at an early age. Sister-Ree was a very giving and loving person to all of her friends and family. Her deep humility and concern for others was reflected in the words to one of her favorite songs, “ If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vein.” She quietly and unassumingly lived, worked, ministered to, and blessed the lives of son many and she never said word to anyone about what she did to help them. It was just her pleasure. Her life anthems were “ let the I've Done Speak for Me” and “ I won’t complain. Ella was a very strong, proud women of faith and prayer. Even though she walked through several years of health challenges, she never complained. During those many years, God re-energized her at different times because of her faith and trust in Him. She would often be found on her knees in prayer until her knees no longer allowed her. For entertainment and to keep herself aware of current event, she enjoyed reading the news- pa-pers and watching the news and sports on TV. When her health permitted, she enjoyed going to the casino occasionally and she had a chance to do some traveling and loved going on cruises. Family was of the utmost importance to Ella. She would always greet them with her affectionate smile that could brighten up any room. She especially looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. She had so much fun and looked forward to spending time with everyone during these holidays. One of her biggest prayers that God answered was to see each of her seven children grow to adulthood. She instilled in her children the important value of loving and respecting each other. Some of her favorite sayings to her children were: I am the mother mother and I am supposed to tell you right from wrong. I will talk until I am blue in the face. Ok, I’m not saying nothing else. But I'm going to say this one thing” “ I am washing my hands of you and turning you over to the hands of the Lord.” all I can do now is pray for you”..Ok then, well maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.” Do not be a fool.” I love you baby and I love all my children the same. She leaves to cherish her life, love and memory; seven loving children, Michael (Beatrice) Stanley, Diane (Alvin”Ray”), Walter , Howard , Hazel, and Kimberly (Darryl); twelve grandchildren; Michael Jr., Damon, Nickia (Donyette), Howard Jr., Natonya, Shanna, Stanley, Stanley Jr., Ashley, Sade, Raymond, DeAnna and Giovanni and five great- grandchildren Jaquan, Jazlynn, Aalaya, Janaiya and Brandy; one brother: John Demory; three brothers and three sisters preceded her in death: Luther Townes, Hayward Peanie/Jack' Demory, Hayward 'Reds' Demory, Dorothy Townes, Marthalee Lynn and Cherry Louise Harding; a cousin, Evelyn (Lady Mae ) Kidd, who preceded her in death; four sisters-in-law; Martha Townes, Mary Demory , Sallie Mae Cornish and Odessa Johnson; one brother-in-law: Lewis Lynn; a devoted niece: Willie “Bunnie” Townes Ross; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends.

Tributes

Ella Mae Johnson

October 25, 1935 - April 1, 2011