Mrs. Arvella John

In Loving Memory Of; Arvella Massie John was the only child of Floyce and Mildred Massie born on January 17, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. Baptized and a member of First Baptist Institutional Church. As a youth she was active in the church by serving as president of the Youth Choir. Later in life, Arvella transferred to Oak Grove A.M.E. Church Arvella attended school in the Detroit Public School system, McKerrow Elementary, Fitzgerald Post Junior High, and graduated from Cooley High school in 1973. While in high school she did volunteer work with the Detroit Model City Program, explaining the cause and effect of drug usage to 3rd and 4th graders in the Detroit Public School system, her efforts were rewarded by an article in the Detroit News. Another instance of her work was published in the Detroit News when she received a Journalism Award. At Post Junior High, she won an American Legions Award. As a child her activities included being a Campfire Girl, taking piano and lessons at the Detroit Institute of Music, also tap and ballet dancing lessons. Arvella’s advance schooling consist of a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology as a major, Psychology as a minor, and Criminal Justice as a double minor at Saginaw Valley College. Although Arvella was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis during her junior year, she fought on to finish college, and later attended the University of Detroit for post grad classes in Education, and Wayne State University for post grad classes in Sociology. Her work record reflects her interest in the fields she prepared for in school, and her fortitude and strength to keep going. During her college years, she worked in Saginaw and Midland elementary schools with autistic children. In the summer she worked for the Civil Service and MESC as a receptionist. After receiving her degree, at Wayne County Community College, she did entrance exam testing, and has worked with American Family Minority groups. Then, as her health would allow, she worked as a substitute teacher for the Detroit Board of Education and two private schools. In 1980, Arvella married James Edward John, Jr.(deceased). During this union, Arvella acquired three children James Edward John, Ill (deceased), Michelle John, Rita Whitten (deceased), and gave birth to one child Christopher Edward John, Sr. Arvella fought a very long battle with her health, eventually her health got the best of her. Arvella made her transition to her eternal life on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

Mrs. Arvella John

January 17, 1955 - October 23, 2019