Mrs. Lillie Mae Johnson

Lillie Mae Johnson was born in McCauley, Mississippi on May 31, 1941 to the late Fannie Beck and Roosevelt Beck of Carrall County, Mississippi. Lillie married the late Willie Earl Johnson on December 23, 1957 in Bolivar County, Mississippi. Lillie transitioned peacefully in her sleep and reunited with the Lord on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Lillie attended Drew Colored School in Mississippi and enjoyed reading a variety of genre books as a child. Lillie’s thirst for knowledge and her vision of a better future and quality education for her five small children was the driving force behind her migration to Detroit in the mid-60s. Lillie strongly believed the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., that “The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.” Lillie ensured that her children were afforded the best educational opportunities and were prepared to learn every day. Her proudest moments were at her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s graduation ceremonies throughout the years. Lillie worked multiple jobs to support her family, including working at J.L. Hudson’s in downtown Detroit during the Christmas holiday season. In 2001, she retired from Refabco Manufacturing Company as a machinist. Although Lillie retired in 2001, she did not slow down. She enjoyed traveling to Mississippi with her travel buddy, Bonnie, to visit and celebrate family milestones and attend Drew School reunion activities, volunteering at her grandson’s school (Chrysler Elementary), cooking her family’s favorite dishes and desserts, and shopping at Macy’s, Walmart, and thrift stores. Lillie fancied shopping so much that, over the years, she purchased enough clothing merchandise to open her own upscale Thrift Store -“Lillie’s Closet” on Michigan Avenue. Lillie loved going to the Cincinnati Jazz Festival back in the day and listening to Rhythm & Blues and jazz on the record player and in the car during her many trips to the South. Her favorite saxophone jazz song was “Lily was Here” by Candy Dulfer. Lillie was baptized at an early age at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Drew, Mississippi. After moving to Detroit, Lillie became a life-long member of Morning View Baptist Church in 1968 under the pastorship of Reverend Rankin. Lillie leaves to cherish her precious memory, her sister, Mary L. Fields; her daughters Shirley [Schribbi] Neely, Yvonne “Bonnie” Johnson, Gwendolyn [Stanley] de Jongh and Marilyn Johnson; her sons Michael Johnson and Robert Johnson, all of Detroit, MI; her eight grandchildren Joi Neely, Iran Neely, Brent Johnson [Brittni], Crystal Johnson, Michael Cimeot (Johnson), Justin Johnson, Vachal L. Moore, and Myles L. de Jongh; her step-grandson Tommy D. de Jongh; her ten great grandchildren Alexis Walker, BriAnna Walker, Iran Neely II, Devin Humphrey (all of whom affectionately referred to Lillie as “Rosebud”), Brianna Johnson, Kennedi Johnson, MacKenzie Johnson, Brent Johnson II, Kenedi Moore, and Noah Moore; her nieces Evelyn “Fay” Beck, Angela Baylor [Ernest], Ruth Ann Perkins, and Lisa Williams; her nephews Larry Beck, Dennis Fields [Roxanne], Daniel Fields [Seante], and Kyle Crockett; and a host of grand nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends, the list of whom would be too great to name. All knowing that Lillie held a special place in her heart for each of them. Lillie’s parents Fannie and Roosevelt Beck, granddaughter Jasamine Moore, niece Shantinique Burns, brother Roosevelt Beck Jr., nephew Dennis Ray Perkins, and daughter-in-law Wendy Giles Johnson preceded her in death. In lieu of floral tribute and charitable donations in honor of Mrs. Lillie Mae Johnson may be made to Morning View Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lillie Mae Johnson

May 31, 1941 - June 6, 2018