Helen B. Johnson

Celebration of Life for Helen B. Johnson. Sunrise June 17, 1931 - Sunset September 21, 2007. Friday, September 28, 2008, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 4501 S. Vincennes Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653. Rev. Dernard D. Newell, Officiating. Wake 11:00 AM, Funeral 12:00 PM. '...God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.' 1 John 5:11. Order of Service: Organ Prelude. Processional - Organist/Soloist. Call to Worship - Rev. Newell. Prayer - Rev. Lawrence T. Foster, Calvary Baptist Church of Detroit. Scripture Reading: John 15:12-17 - Daria Holmes. Song - 'His Eye is On the Sparrow' - Soloist. Resolutions - Ebenezer MB Church, Calvary Baptist Church. Reading of the Obituary - In Silent Meditation. Eulogy - Rev. Newell. Personal Tributes. Closing Sentences - Rev. Newell. Recessional - Organist. Organ Postlude. Pallbearers: Gary Etienne, Earl Goodwin, James Hoy, Kenneth Curry, Corey Oliver, Harlan Holmes, Holden Holmes, Jr., Ramon Taylor. Interment: Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 E. 67th Street, Chicago, IL 60628. Helen's Life Helen B. Johnson was born in Chicago, June 21, 1931 to the parents of Pinkney and Ethel Anderson Branch. She was the youngest and last survivor of her three siblings: Harold, Pinkney, Jr., and Jewell. Helen lost her mother at 10 months of age. She was raised by her uncle, Orrie Branch, until the age of 4. Then she was adopted by Robert and Henrietta Crutcher from Ebenezer MB church located on the South side of Chicago. Helen accepted Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized by Ebenezer pastor, Rev. J.H.L. Smith. Attending church and Sunday school, her connection to Ebenezer grew into an extended family. Her social life developed around Ebenezer too as she found lifelong friends. She was very active in the church auxiliaries and held several offices. Ebenezer was Helen's family and she truly loved her family. Helen graduated from Chicago's DuSable High School in 1949. She studied business and secretarial skills at Wilson Junior College for more than a year. After which she held various secretarial positions including the University of Illinois Hospital. She retired from the Chicago Board of Education in 1995 after 20 loyal years of service. Everywhere she worked Helen was recognized for her devotion and willingness to serve. She was often known as the tall lady with the big smile and even bigger heart. Helen was truly a model of Christ-like professionalism. In 1958 she met and fell in love with a clean, lean, 6'2" Willie J. Johnson who was also a distinguished member of Ebenezer. In 1959 they were the first couple married by Ebenezer's new minister, Rev. Frank K. Sims. The Johnson's had their first child, Elizabeth (Libby) in 1961. Ten years later God blessed them with a second child, David. Libby and David followed in their mother's footsteps being baptized at Ebenezer. The family lost Libby at the age of 24 in a fatal car accident. In 1968, they purchased a home in Roseland, located on the Far South Side of Chicago. Helen Johnson was truly respected and loved by the community. She was active in the 100th Perry St. Block Club. Everyone knew the Johnson's were open to receive and give love from all their neighbors. Helen and Willie were advocates of education. With limited resources they sent both children to private schools and college. Helen's prayers, support, guidance, and self-sacrifice allowed them to excel in their studies. Both received bachelor degrees, and pursued post-graduate studies. Helen's nurturing spirit gave her an appreciation for beautiful plants and flowers. She collected Afrocentric art and jazz CDs. She was quite successful at passing her passion for shopping on to her children too. Even in sickness, she never lost her witty sense of humor. Most of all, she loved her husband and her children. She is survived by her husband Willie, son David, daughter-in-law Yvette, nephews Harlan and Holden Jr. Holmes, niece Daria Holmes, cousins Ruth Jenkins, Evonne Bolton, Dorothy Griffin, Juanita Hutson, and several relatives from the Harrisburg, PA area. She leaves this Earth to join her family, friends, and God the Creator. 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with our God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Romans 5:1. We thank God for Helen B. Johnson.