Johnnie Mae Glover

MRS. JOHNNIE M. GLOVER of Baltimore, Maryland transitioned to eternity on January 18, 2024. She was born in Waxhaw, N.C. on May 26, 1924 to the late Azariah and Susie Clifton. Ms. Johnnie, as she was affectionately known to all, was one of 16 children. She graduated from Aggrey Memorial High School in Kannapolis, N.C. and moved to Washington D.C. in search of a better future. Ms. Johnnie met and married Howard R. Glover in March of 1944. From this union they had two daughters, Jacqueline and Schavonna (Penny) Glover, the lights of Ms. Johnnie’s eyes.. In 1947, after being trained as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Ms. Johnnie began her career at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) in Baltimore, Md. She often shared that JHH was a segregated hospital at the time and that the staff did not recognize Black registered nurses or LPNs. Despite this segregated environment, Ms. Johnnie became the first African American scrub nurse to work within an operating room at JHH. She was very proud of the role she played in training physicians in the OR. Ms. Johnnie’s most memorable case was the separation of conjoined twins under the direction of Dr. Alex Haller. She also worked with Dr. Levi Watkins Jr., the first Black Chief Resident of Cardiac Surgery at JHH. Ms. Johnnie was a lifetime member of Waters A.M.E. Church, often inviting friends and family to join her in worship. She was active in several organizations with in the church, including the Carolinian Club, the Pastor’s Aide, the Merry Makers and the Laymen Organization. In addition to her work with in the church, Ms. Johnnie sought to help the community and anyone in need, leading her to become an active member of the Easter Stars. She was always known to be a sharp dresser, from the sharp crowns (hats) on her head along with her confident strut. She even modeled for the Avenue clothing store and stole the show! After 38 years of service, Ms. Johnnie retired from JHH in 1985. During her retirement, she remained active by joining senior centers like the Waxter Center and the Sandtown-Winchester Center. Her love of dance led her to join the High Steppers dance troupe at the Waxter Center. She loved to play cards and even won trophies for her skills. Ms. Johnnie was known to have a quick wit and sometime a sharp tongue. If she felt as if you needed to be checked, she had no problem checking you whether you liked it or not. She was above all a mother, a protector and a devoted friend providing care and support to all who needed it. At the end of the day, Ms. Johnnie would be treated to a vanilla milkshake to relax and unwind. Ms. Johnnie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Howard R. Glover; and siblings Wallace, Wardel, Lewis, Otis, Odell, Walter, Robert, Willie, Mary Elizabeth, Betty Jean, Lucille, Roberta, Odessa and Geraldine. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Jacqueline and Penny; sister, Susie Mae Holtzclaw; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She also leaves an adopted daughter Linda (Pinky) Steward Beckham and devoted friends Ms. Jessie Larkins and Ms. Phyllis Berger.

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Johnnie Mae Glover

May 26, 1924 - January 18, 2024