Celebration of Life For Gloria Yvonne Graham Johnson, May 25, 1943- August 28, 2009, 2 Timothy 4:7, Saturday, September 5, 2009, 11:00 A.M., Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30331, Reverend Richard D. WInn, Sr., Officiating

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2 Timothy 4:7
Saturday, September 5, 2009 11:00 A.M.
Ben Hillllnited ~letlwdist Cltu,.clt 2099 Fail'bu,.n Road, SW Atlanta, Geo,.gia 30331
Reverend Ricltard D. Winn, S1:
Officiating

Gloria Yvonne Graham Johnson was born on J\1ay 25, 1943 to the late Oceania Dunbar Payne. She was later adopted and raised by Mr. & Mrs. 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 University.
On June 24, 1963, Gloria married her high school sweetheart, James Ernest Johnson and to this blessed union three children were born. Gloria has always been active in church since joining Austin Chapel at a very early age in Waycross; the J ohnsons have been active men1bers of Ben Hill United Methodist Church since joining in 1974. Gloria was 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 years of service as a claims representative. She received awards for outstanding achievements at BellSouth. She was a n1ember 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 lov e of one of God's glorious Angels. She touched us all in meaningful ways. Thank y ou Father for sharing her with us.
Gloria was preceded in death by 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 Fleming; her brother-in-law, J\1inister Willie B. Johnson; her nephew, Kevin Ingram; her niece, Kim Johnson Wilson (Clayton) and grand nephew, Lewey Clayton Wilson Ill; her aunt, Vilma Roberts; her uncle, Herman Dunbar; her God children, Marquez 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 andfriends.

PRELUDE

PROCESSIO AL

OPE ING HYJ\1:. ................................................................................. MAJESTIC CHOIR

SCRIPTURE READI GS:
PSALM 150 ............................................................ MI . CAROLY BAISDE J
2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 ...............................................................MI . AG ES HARVEY
PRAYER........................................................................REV. DR. MICHAEL D. STINSON

MINISTRY OF MUSIC............................................................................MAJESTIC CHOIR

REFLECTIO S & TRIBUTES :

Bo TIE ASKEW DR. NORMA THOMAS BETTY SMITH JACQUES JOH SON

POEM .................................................................................AFRTCA SARU ROBERSON

(OBITUARY READ SILENTLY)

SOLO ................................................................................................. KEITH WILSON

EULOGY...................... :.....................................................REV. RICHARD D. WI 'SR.

FLUTE SOLO .............................................................................. KARE THOMAS

ACKNOWLEDGME T ............................................................... MURRAY BROTHERS

RECESSIONAL .............................................................................MAJESTIC CHOIR

INTERMENT
FOREST LAWN MEMORIAL GARDENS
5755 1\'lALLORY ROAD
COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA
A repast will be held at Ben Hill UMC 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

Tile promise of tile Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us has been the greatest blessing during this lime. 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 support and encouragement to Gloria, and to us, consoling our hearts.

Jacques Terrell Johnson Roland Dwayne Johnson
Rodney O'Neal Tabb Roland Dwayne Johnson II
D~vin )ames Johnson Dorian Jamal Johnson jacques Terrell )oltnson 11
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Rodney O'Neal Tabb II Jarrett Dominic Johnson
Men of 1961 Class of Center High, Waycross, Georgia Phi Bela Sigma Fraternity Inc.
~rPlf~ Red Hal Society, Chapter 62012
Jewels & Partners Ladies of 1961 Class of Center High, lT1aycross, Georgia
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Ashley Shantell 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 lhe National Ovarian Cancer Awareness ~lonlh.
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Murray Br~tlters Funeral Home, Inc.
1199lltoy Springs Road, SW Allanla, Georgia 30331 (404) 349-3000