The Hom egoing C elebration 
for 
Mrs. <Patof{a Johnson 
Monday, May 14, 2012 10:00 a.m. 
Beulah Grove Baptist Church 1434 Poplar Street Augusta, GA 30901 
Rev. Dr. Sam Davis, Pastor 
 
 Ordero f`Worship 
Processional Selection...................................... Combined Choir 
Scripture and Prayer Rev. Willie Callaway Solo .............................................Sis. JoAnn Cook Reading and Remarks Mr. Michael Williams Acknowledgements and Resolution Min. Jean Callaway Solo ........... ................... Dr. Hawthorne Welcher Eulogy.................................... Rev. Dr. Sam Davis Recessional Interment .................... Westover Memorial Park 
 
06ituary 
Patoka Johnson was called to her heavenly home on Friday, May 4,2012 at 6:42a.m. in Augusta, Georgia. She was bom on December 9, 1927 in (Ivy City) Washington, DC. Patoka was the Matriarch o f the Coates family. She was 84 years old and the oldest o f 14 children. Her brother Richard Lee Virgil Coates II preceded her in death. She was bom to Richard Lee Virgil Coates, Sr. and Alice Coates. 
Patoka's nickname was Little Alice. 
Alice attended Crummell Elementary School in Ivy City and Browne Jr. High in Washington, D.C. Her first job was working at the cafeteria at the Pentagon. 
She left D.C. at an early age and headed to New York. There she met the father o f her first bom Johnny Miller. They named their daughter Juwawn. Alice worked numerous jobs in N.Y. such as bar tendering. That's where she met her late husband William (Billy) Johnson. He was a musician with the Moonglows, Brook Benton, Jackie Wilson and many other well known performers in the 50's, 60's and 70's they traveled extensively. Billy was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He was known for his #1 Record, (Ten Commandments o f Love and Sincerely). This union produced two children: daughter Wapeka, known as Billie and her son Gregory, known as Motown. 
Patoka had a compassionate heart for the less fortunate helping many families in Detroit with her very own finances. She was member Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. 
She was the pinnacle o f the community. She prepared 
 
 and served breakfast and lunches at the Community Center where she lived and worked the Flea Market on weekends. She also served as a Government Grandma for Fallen Soldiers at Fort Gordon Army Base for many years. 
She met many nice friends in the Augusta Springs senior housing complex where she lived for 13 years. Her Easter lilies were the talk o f the neighbors. 
Patoka was a very fashionable and loving person. Her house was immaculate; you had to t^ke your shoes off when entering. 
Patoka loved to travel and go places. She loved her family and friends. Once you met her, you had to love her. 
She leaves to cherish three children Juwawn HightowerMiller who has four children, Lieumishia, McKinley, Patoka and Nazim with 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Her daughter Wapeka (Michael) Williams, who has two children Justin and Bianica. Her baby son Gregory McDowell (Barbara) Johnson who has three children, daughter Tashana 1 great-granddaughter, two sons Brian and Asia and 4 great-granddaughters. She also leaves behind to mourn 12 sisters and brothers; Lawrence Coates Sr. (Connie), Loretta Coates, Barbara Jennings (Robert Sr.), Harriet Warren (Lewin), Pauline Coates, Maxine McKenzie (Otis), Delores Games (Kenneth), Edward Coates (Michelle), Teresa Marshall (Paul), Clifton Coates (Stephanie), Tamya Smith and Tryonda Walker (Darnell). 
 
 iJie <Rpse (BeyondnJie ^ a lT -A - > `Fritil^ 
N ear a shady w a tt a rose once grew, (Buddeda n d 6Cossomedin god'sfree fight, 
W atered a n d f e d 6y the morning dew, Shedding it's sw eetness day a n d night. 
y ts it grew a n d SCossomedfair a n d tad, SCowCy rising to Coftier height, I t came to a crevice in the w a d 
Through which there shone a 6eam o f fight. 
O n w ard it crept w itk fid d e d strength W ith never a thought o f fe a r orpride, I tfo llo w e d the fight through the crevice's length f in d unfolded its e lf on the other side. 
The fight, the dew, the hroadening view W erefo u n d the same as they were 6efore, 
f in d it Cost its e lf in 6eauties new, (Breathing it'sfragrance more a n d more. 
S h a d claim o f death cause us to grieve f in d make our couragefa in t an dfad? N ay l L et usfa ith a n d hope receiveThe rose stid g ro w s Seyondthe w ad, 
Scatteringfragrancef a r a n d w ide Ju st as it d id in days o fyore, Ju st as it d id on the other side, Ju st as it w idforever-m ore 
 
 (pallbearers 
The Executive Ministry Beulah Grove Baptist Church 
 
y? 
 
(Poemto Mommy 
 
I Covedto ta lk e d to m other eitlier in person or on the phone as Cong as I hriow her heavenhy teCephone num 6er rCCnever he atone. 
 
W e taC^eda6out im portant thingsju s t remem6ering her voice can dry m y tears. 
M y m other understood everything I said, 
she im parted w isdom to me 6eyond heryears. 
 
Your Daughter, 
Juannie 
 
JLcbnowkdgments 
The family is grateful to all for the many prayers, love and support shown during the death of their loved one. May God richly bless you today and always.