Lena Mae Johnson

On Thursday, February 18, 1926, the world was made a bright and more beautiful place with the birth of a beautiful baby girl in Waxahachie, Texas. She was born to Robert A. and Alberder Johnson and they named her Lena Mae. After the Great Flood of 1937, in Waxahachie, Texas, the Johnson Family moved to San Angelo, Texas where they united with Alexander Temple Church of God in Christ. Lena Mae departed this life on Thursday, April 16, 2020 in San Angelo, Texas at the age of 94. She was the youngest of 13 children. Lena was educated in San Angelo Public Schools and graduated from Blackshear High School in 1944 at the top of her class. In later years, she attended Angelo State University and completed courses in education. Lena Mae Johnson was married to Rev. Carl Stanley Johnson and was the proud mother of two devoted sons, Wendell Norris Johnson and Carl Ray Johnson who made her life complete. They grew up to be fine Christian men, Mother Lena Johnson began her career caring for other families in the community and transitioned to education where she taught for many years in the Headstart Program and retired. She made a tremendous difference in the lives of hundreds of children in her community and her church. Lena was a proud member of the NAACP receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for working tirelessly until her health failed. At an early age, Mother Johnson was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at Alexander Temple Church of God in Christ where she was a member for 83 years. As a young child, she helped raise money for the church by selling her mother’s baked goods. Lena loved cooking and continued the practice as an adult by baking pies, cakes, peach cobblers, and banana nut bread, which she sold throughout the community to support various church functions. Sis Johnson was a godly role model, always encouraging members to become tithers and give as the Lord had blessed them. She believed that a tithing church was a blessed church.

Mother Johnson had a passion for training, developing, and working with young people. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Sunshine Band for over 10 years, Sunday School teacher for 3-5 year old class, President of the Prayer and Bible Band, Prayer Intercessor, Bible Band Secretary, Mother’s Board, Pastor’s Aide Committee, Sewing Circle, and choir member. During her youth, she was a member of the Young Women’s Christian Council and Young People’s Willing Workers. She related an inspiring story of how she became filled with the Holy Spirit under the late Bishop J.E. Alexander on November 28, 1948. Mother Johnson told how it changed her life and she was filled with love and became a witness for God. She was a faithful member serving as Church Mother and loved her church and church family. Mother Johnson will always be remembered for her loving compassionate ways and delicious cooking. She was adored by all and served as the oldest member of the congregation. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings (two sisters and ten brothers), her two sons, Wendell Norris (Sammie) Johnson and Carl Ray Johnson, grandson, Tracy Dell Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren, Stacy and Christina Johnson, great-grandson Samuel Johnson, daughter in law Sammie Johnson, godson William Tyree (Rose) Wilkes III, god daughters Rose Marie (W.T. - deceased) Wilkes of San Antonio, Texas; Christine (Coleman) Ellis of Oklahoma, and Erma Brooks of San Angelo, Texas; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, many cherished friends and extended family.