Dolores B. Johnson

Dolores Bernice Johnson departed this life on May 28, 2015 at her home of 55 years. Dolores was born September 17, 1926 to Oliver Branham Sr. and Edith Cole Branham; the sixth of nine children. Dolores received her early years of education at Oak Grove Baptist Elementary School. She furthered her education at Manassas Regional High School. Dolores was baptized and joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age. She was a faithful member for over 60 years. Dolores united in marriage to her loving and devoted husband James F. Johnson on February 7, 1948. Five children were born from this union: Charles Franklin, James Roland, Everett Wayne, Charelene Bernice, and Sandra Marita. Dolores relocated from Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland in 1958 in support of her husband for the betterment of their family. She continued to travel from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia to attend the church she loved, Oak Grove Baptist Church. Dolores raised her family to have a Christian foundation knowing if they were to depart, they would find their way back to Christ. She spent over 20 years working for Bluefeld catering which gave her the opportunity to gain new friends, and to demonstrate her skills and talent of a homemaker in the catering business. Dolores was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, god-mother, aunt and friend. She enjoyed coking, baking, and serving others. You spoke of love, but love always showed up when you ate from Dolores's kitchen. You could not leave her home without having something to eat, hungry or not. If you looked a little under nourished, she thought you needed something to eat. Dolores had a love for plants and flowers. One of her famous sayings was "Give me my flowers while I'm living". She was preceded in death by her parents Oliver and Edith Branham: three brothers, Oliver, Raymond and James; four sisters, Doris, Dora, Emma Jane and Glennie. During the last year, Dolores started to slow down and she sometimes stated that she was tired. A tiredness well deserved, but little did her loved ones know that her health was failing. As she came to the end of her journey, she put up a good fight as she finished the course. Dolores leaves to cherish her memory: her loving and devoted husband, James F. Johnson; three sons, Charles F. Johnson of Baltimore, MD, James R. Johnson of Oakland, CA, Everett W. Johnson of Baltimore, MD; two daughters, Charelene B. Holly of Baltimore, MD and Sandra M. Burrell of Baltimore, MD; stepdaughter, Alice Gaines; son-in-law, Phillip Holly; daughter-in-law, Delores Johnson; sister-in-law, Josephine Johnson; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; god-daughter, Lisa Dixon; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed: her husband also and praiseth her" -Proverbs 31:28

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Dolores B. Johnson

September 17, 1926 - May 28, 2015