~ &6, 1943- ~ &8, &009 I have fought the goodfrght, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timotlly 4:7 Saturday, Septentber 5, 2009 11:00 A.M. Ben Hillllnited ~letlwdist CllUI'Cil 2099 Fail'bul'n Road, SW Atlanta, Geo,.gia 30331 Reverend Richard D. Winn, Sr: Officiating Gloria Y v onne Graham Johnson was born on May 25 ~ 1943 to the late Oceania Dunbar Pay ne. She was later adopted and raised b y Mr. & J\1rs. Lucious (Anna) Graham. Gloria attended public school in Waycross ~ Georgia graduating from Center High School in 1961 with honors. After graduation ~ she attended Tuskegee Institute ~ now Tuskegee Univ ersity . On June 24~ 1963 ~ Gloria married her high school sweetheart~ James Ernest Johnson and to this blessed union three children were born. Gloria has alway s been active in church since joining Austin Chapel at a very early age in Way cross; the J ohnsons have been active m-embers of Ben Hill United Methodist Church since joining in 1974. Gloria v.ras an inaugural member of the Ben Hill Gospel Choir~ now the Majestic Choir~ formulated under the leadership of the late Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson. She was a faithful member and served as secretary for the choir for several terms. In addition to her service with the choir~ Gloria was a member of the Administration Board and the Wedding Ministry . She was an active member of the United Methodist Women~ Jewels and Partners and served in many other capacities within the church. Gloria centered her life around her family, church ~ and profession ~ which culminated with BellSouth in 2004 after twenty -five y ears of service as a claims representative. She received awards for outstanding achiev ements at BellSouth. She was a men1ber of the Red Hat Society Chapter 62012. Gloria was also the coordinator for the 1961 Center High Alumni. We have all felt the embrace and love of one of God~ s glorious Angels. She touched u s all in meaningful way s. Thank y ou Father for sharing her w-ith us. Gloria was preceded in death b y her granddaughter~ J azmine Shardae Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, James; her children, Jacques Terrell Johnson (Maretta), Roland Dway ne Johnson (Ferlisa) ~ and -J amika Michelle Johnson-Tabb (Rodney ); her grandchildren ~ Roland Dway ne Johnson II, Devin James Johnson~ Dorian Jamal Johnson, Ashley Shantel1 Johnson ~ Jacques Terrell Johnson II ~ Rodney O ' Neal Tabb II ~ and Jarrett Dominic Johnson; her sister~ Evely n Flen1ing; her brother-in-law ~ Minister Willie B. Johnson; her nephew ~ Kevin Ingram; her niece, Kim Johnson Wilson (Clay ton) and grand nephew, Lewey Clay ton Wilson Ill; her aunt ~ Vilma Roberts; her uncle, Herman Dunbar; her God children ~ Nia~quez Hall and Markala Hall and a host of other relatives and friends. Gloria accomplished her ultimate goal, A Life Well Lived. She certainly fulfilled that in her dedication to family, church, profession and friends. PRELUDE PROCESSIO AL OPE I JG HYM ........................................................ , ........................ J\1AJESTIC CHOIR SCRIPTURE READI IGS: PSALM 150 ............................................................ MI . CAROLY BAISDE 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 ...............................................................MIN. AG ES HARVEY PRAYER ........................................................................ REV. DR. MICHAEL D. STI rso r MINISTRY OF MUSIC ........................... .' ................................................MAJESTIC CHOIR REFLECTIO S & TRIBUTES : BO IE ASKEW DR. NORMAN THOMAS BETTY SMITH JACQUES JOH SO POEM .........-........................................................................ AFRICA SARUN ROBERSON (OBITUARY READ SILE TLY) SOLO................................................................................................. KEITH WILSON EULOGY............................................................................REV. RICHARD D. WINN, SR. FLUTE SOLO.............................................................................. KAREN THOMAS ACKNOWLEDGME T...............................................................MURRAY BROTHERS RECESSIO JAL ............................................................................. MAJESTIC CHOIR INTERMENT FOREST LAWN MEMORIAL GARDENS 5755 MALLORY ROAD COLLEGE PARK~ GEORGIA A repast will be held at Ben Hill UM C immediately following the worship service. Let your minds flow with me If you can all close your eyes When I tell you to open them tell me what you see With my brush, I paint the color of courage A true woman of God who used the Bible as her armor to fight a battle that even David himself could not win but she never complained of pain or entertained the thought that tomorrow may never come. With my brush, I paint a vision of unwavering love for family and friends A love that was tireless, a love that epitomized what God meant by AGAPE. A love that could never say "NO." It was a love that captured the heart of her husband for over 40 years. It was a love that allowed her to hold on to make sure that Jacques, Roland and Jamika were okay before she answered that final call. It was a love so strong and sincere that she was able to love everyone she met as Christ loved the church. With my brush, I paint you a smile that never changed. A face that remained youthful, A mark of beauty, A woman whose pure essence beamed from the inside and out In her face you never saw the wars she fought, lost and won She was a pure reflection of God's love for us and therefore you never knew what she struggled with . With my brush, I paint you a vision in a beautiful white gown For once she did not have to shop because God had already done the shopping. He already knew her size he was just waiting for her to put it on. Are your minds still with me? Can you see heaven? A new angel just entered into the gates. Can you hear her tears ofjoy? She has dedicated her whole life to serving God for this moment. Can you feel her peace? Can you feel her happiness? Can you hear her tell us to go on and simply say, "I am okay?" Can you see Jesus with arms embracing this beautiful Angel who is no longer a collector but now she is one? With my last stroke, I paint you her smile Open your eyes. What do you see? I just painted you a "PORTRAIT OF GLORIA. " Africa Sarun Roberson The promise of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us has been the greatest blessing during this time. The second blessing has been the comfort ofyou, our family, friends, and health care professionals. Our sincere and heartfelt thanks are extended to all ofyou for your prayers and various expressions of supp011 and encouragement to Gloria, and to us, consoling our hearts. jacques Terrell Johnson Roland Dwayne Johnson Rodney O'Neal Tabb Roland Dwayne Johnson II Devin )antes Johnson Dorian Jamal Johnson Jacques Terrell Johnson II ~[f?~ Rodney O'Neal Tabb II Jarrell Dominic Johnson Men of 1961 Class of Center High, \Vaycross, Georgia Phi Bela Sigma Fraternity Inc. ~@If~ Red Hat Society, Cltapler 62012 Jewels & Partners Ladies of 1961 Class ofCenter High, Waycross, Georgia ~~@If~ Ashley Shanlell Johnson The Teal Ribbon Campaign The "Teal Ribbon "is the nationally recognized ribbon color for awareness and support of Ovarian Cancer. The month ofSeptember has been chosen as the National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. ~~ C(8nhudd1%: ~furray Brothers Funeral Home, Inc. 1199 Utoy Springs Rolld, SW Allllnlll, Georgill 30331 (404) 349-3000