Mary Alice Johnson Memorial

Celebration of Life for

Mary Alice Johnson
Friday, May 20, 2022, at 9:00am
Sunrise: November 16, 1929 – Sunset: April 14, 2022

Service-New Direction C.O.G.I.C.
276 E 9th Street
Upland, Ca 91786

Bishop Raymond E. Watts , Pastor

Celebration of Life for Mary Alice Johnson

Friday, May 20, 2022, at 9:00am

Sunrise: November 16, 1929 – Sunset: April 14, 2022

The Processional

The Bishop, Clergy and the Family

Musical Prelude “How Great Thou Art” Organist
Master of Ceremony Elder Robert Young
Prayer of Comfort Elder Malcolm Stokes

The Reading of God’s Word

The Old Testament (Psalm 121: 1-8) Evangelist Danielle Belton
The New Testament (2 Timothy 4: 6-8) Evangelist Sylvia Robinson
Praise and Worship Medley Ben Goodman and New Direction COGIC
He Touched me; We’ve Come This Far By Faith
I’m a Soldier in The Army of the Lord
New Direction COGIC Departmental Tributes (2 Minutes)

Mother’s Board Mother Mona Smith
Missionary Department Evangelist Sharon Brown
Women’s Department Mother Mabel Bryant
Deacon & Deaconess Board Deacon Theotis Reed (cousin)
Musical Selection - Blessed Assurance New Direction Community Church COGIC

Family Tributes:

Grandchildren Tributes – Jackson & Tiffany; Dyron &Mary; Anitra, Candace,
Alton Jr, Alexa, Eric Jr, Sydnee, Olivia;

Great grandchildren Tributes at Graveside

Family Memorial Gifts and Tributes at Graveside- Eleshia Brown

Church Family and Friends Celebratory Love Tributes (2 Minutes)

Video Tribute

Acknowledgements and Resolutions Evangelist Deborah Tucker

Reading of the Obituary Mother Frances Fisher

Sermonic Solo First Lady Elizabeth Rhone

Eulogy – Bishop Raymond E. Watts – Senior Pastor New Direction Community COGIC

The Recessional “Let the Church Say Amen”; “He Knows My Name”

Obituary
Mary Alice Johnson

Sunrise: November 16, 1929 – Sunset: April 14, 2022

Mary Alice Johnson transitioned from this life to her eternal grandma Ethel, her namesake); her middle child, Elaine; only son,
destination with her heavenly Father on April 14, 2022, at the age Eric and baby girl, Eleshia, “all E’s”, as she would say. She described
of 92. She was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her children as her biggest blessings and anyone who knew Mother
her legacy by living a life that reflects a strong faith in God and a Johnson knows she loved her children, her grandchildren and her
dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mother Johnson, Auntie, great grandchildren.
Sister Mary, Mama Johnson, Mother, Grandma, Mama, Mommy
and “My Mama” as she was affectionately known and called by so Mary Alice was a highly intelligent woman whose final career
many, will be greatly missed. endeavor as a Library Clerk reflected her vast knowledge and love
for learning. Her first career choice was to become a nurse because
Mary Alice Barlow was born on November 16, 1929, in the small she loved to help people and she earned her License as a Practical
town of Avella, Pennsylvania, to Ernest and Ethel Barlow. She was Nurse (LPN). She later switched industries embarking on a second
the beloved only daughter and the apple of her parent’s eye. Her career as a Licensed Bonded Security Clerk at Bateman, Eichler,
two brothers, Joseph and John cherished and valued their little Hill, Richards, a New York Stock Exchanger Company. After her
sister, and were a great source of support while growing up. She move to Pomona in the Mid-seventies, she began employment
was particularly close with her brother Joe and spoke often of the with the City of Pomona. She worked for many years before
sacrifices he made for her during World War II, and his insistence retiring from the Pomona Public Library in 1990. She came out
that she finish school and further her education. of retirement briefly and worked as an assistant to Pomona City
Councilman Willie White until her decision to permanently retire.
She graduated from Avella High School in 1948, the only Black She dedicated the whole of her retirement life to the ministry, and
student in each grade from elementary through her graduating being an involved, hands-on grandma while an always supportive
high school class. She was a loving and thoughtful child, who was mother.
also industrious and hard working. She started her first job in
elementary school when she volunteered to clean the black boards As a young widow in her early days in the Inland Empire, she
after school and was later hired for pay (about a nickel a month) found her way with the help of the “good Lord” to Pomona Church
because she did such a good job. She later worked at the local of God in Christ where she first established church membership and
family-owned Italian restaurant through her high school years and lifelong church family. Although she and her children often visited
was regarded as part of their family. “the church up the street” … Great I Am Church of God in Christ,
she later joined New Gethsemane Church of God in Christ. She
Mary Alice’s generous and loving spirit was the catalyst for her would remain a member under the dynamic leadership of Bishop
volunteering to bring a young cousin all the way from Birmingham, Raymond E. Watts and Dr. Anita Watts for the balance of her
Alabama to California, on a train, when she was twenty-two years lifetime. She was wholly committed to the teachings and doctrine
old. Not missing the bitter east coast winters, she made California of the “Holiness” church and remained steadfast in her belief that
her permanent home. She would soon relocate her mother from the it was “holiness or hell”. As a dedicated and faithful member of
east coast and thus began her lifelong stay as a “Californian”. New Gethsemane COGIC, later named New Direction Community
COGIC, she became a Licensed Evangelist, a Deaconess and was a
Although Mary Alice was raised in a Christian home, she member of the Mother’s Board. While serving in ministry, Mother
testified that she fully dedicated her entire life and being to the Lord Johnson became the first president of the New Gethsemane Home
after joining Fundamental Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, and Foreign Missions, a role and responsibility she relished, and of
CA, under the watchful leadership of Bishop Elleby. There she was which brought her so much purpose and joy. She also participated in
saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence home bible studies with Mother Richardson for neighborhood kids
of speaking in tongues. She sang in the choir and used her beautiful on Saturday mornings and was often found witnessing anywhere
and powerful voice to bless others. Her love for singing and gift of and everywhere, and to anyone without respect of persons. She
song is one very distinct characteristic her family cherishes most - truly had an evangelist’s heart to share the love of Jesus Christ and
secondary to her love for the Lord. And it was her love of the Lord the good news of the gospel.
that became her “calling card” for all whom she encountered and
knew. She continually pronounced praises unto our God. It was Mother Johnson’s unofficial role, however, of being a
blessing to every single person she met that would earn her the
After settling in California, Mary Alice met and married Booker many jewels in her heavenly crown. Every person Mother met was
T. Hawkins who preceded her in passing from this life, then Eddie made to feel special and loved. She made everyone feel favored and
Fontenot who also preceded her in passing. She gave marriage seen. She held space for all who had need and held the unique gift
another chance when she met Elbert Johnson, Jr. who preceded her of making you feel like you were the most important person in the
in passing, as well. She was not left alone however, as throughout world to her. She felt like God’s hands, eyes and heart.
life losses, God saw fit to bless her four times over with her eldest
daughter, Ethel (who relished a special relationship with her

Sharing the love of Jesus Christ was one of her special gifts and songs created an atmosphere of praise and worship in her home,
she was especially known, nationwide, for being a fervent prayer continuously. The important values she instilled in her family
warrior with great faith. If you had a need and wanted someone to were to love and serve the Lord with your whole heart, and soul;
agree with you or pray for you, it was Mother to whom you would read His word and seek His ways; be quick to forgive, be kind and
call. Her children and grandchildren did not mind sharing their care for one another. One of Mother’s most inspiring, dynamic and
mom and grandma often suggesting to their friends and coworkers uplifting messages was “don’t be discouraged, because everything is
to ask Mother to pray with them and she did. She seemed to have going to be alright”. She taught her children that with God nothing
a direct line from her lips to God’s heart. She was a prayer warrior was impossible and with God everything is possible! Her style as
like none other. a mother and grandma was to impart unconditional love and
more love. She supported her children and grandchildren in all
Some of her favorite things included her son’s sweet potato their endeavors. Because of her dedicated and consecrated life to
pies, chocolate chip cookies, sister Mona’s cakes, ginger snaps and the Lord, her family always saw the fruit of the spirit in operation
anything sweet, just like her. She had an unrivaled sense of humor in her life. She was a great example of what a Christian should
and loved to play practical jokes; she would call her children in a truly be. She set a standard for love that reflects God’s love for us
disguised voice often catching them off guard with any one of them and Christ’s love for the church… sacrificial, unconditional and
genuinely falling for the joke. She had an advanced command of the eternal.
English language and used the most unique phrases and “sayings”.
One of the family’s favorites referred to something happening Mother Johnson is survived by her three children, Elaine Lister,
quick… in “two shakes of a lamb’s tails” which always brought a Eric (April) Hawkins-Johnson and Eleshia (Jermaine) Brown.
smile to the face of the person on the receiving end; “if the good Lord Her eldest daughter, Ethel Cavitt preceded her in meeting our
says the same” was a nod to her deference to God’s will in everyday heavenly Father; She is survived by thirteen grandchildren,
situations, and when asked how she was doing… “blessed and Tiffany (Jackson) Sevieux, Mary (Dyron) Burgess, Anitra Cavitt,
highly favored” was Mother’s ever-inspiring, signature response Candace Rose, Monet Wilburn, J. Ross Lister, Alton “AJ” Lister II,
that reflected her comfort in knowing that she was a daughter of Alexa Lister, Jermaine Brown Jr., Sydnee Brown, Olivia Brown,
the most high God. Eric Johnson Jr., and Chinaza Brown; twelve great-grandchildren
Mya, Kimyla, Pynelope, Aveah, Jianna, Karim, Kameron, Kenton,
Mother also reflected balance and a joy that could only come Qyncee, Ryder, Wynter, and Rashad; first cousin Pearl Boone (95
from knowing the Lord. She could quote the U.S. Constitution and yrs.); Barlow Nephews and Nieces Joseph (Sandy), Ernest, Vanessa
when her kids were younger, she always made sure to take them (Mark), Marshall (Margorie), Maurice, Zella, Mary, Tyrone,
to the polling place to vote in every election, rain or shine. She and Anthony; and God-sister Shirley Edmonds. She also leaves
was an amazing writer and wrote the Senior poem for her high a host of cousins, great nieces and nephews, Godchildren, sisters
school graduating class entitled, “The Shining Hour” that foretold and brothers in ministry, and her New Direction church family.
the journey ahead. Over the years, she wrote many songs with Her mother and father, Ethel and Ernest Barlow; brothers Joseph
compelling lyrics and masterful melodies that she sang around (Madeline) Barlow, and John Barlow; and nephew, Sydney Barlow
the house but were never published. They were amazing songs that preceded her in transition home with the Lord.
gave praise to our God and spoke of His goodness and grace. Those







Acknowledgements and Words of Gratitude

The Family of Mother Mary Alice Johnson would like to thank everyone for their expressions of comfort
and love during this solemn time. Your calls, letters, texts, cards, flowers, food and prayers mean so
much to our family; they have all been received with heartful appreciation. We would like to extend our
deep gratitude to Mother’s amazing Care Providers: Ms. Robbie Jewell Spencer, Mother Sylvia Robin-
son, and Mother Frances Fisher. Thank you for the dedicated, loving care you provided Mother. We also
express our gratitude to Mother Deborah Tucker and Elder Robert Young for their counsel and support
of the family during this time.
We rejoice with you all in knowing that Mother has made it! She fought the good fight; she finished the
course. She kept the faith. As she fits her crown of righteousness that the Lord who is the righteous Judge
has awarded her, we can hear her saying “tell them, tell those who don’t know; tell them about Jesus
Christ”. So, while we are missing the physical presence of this amazing woman of God, we’ll rejoice, and
we won’t forget to speak of the goodness of the Lord and share the love of Jesus Christ.
In her parting act of faith and testament to the sovereignty of our God - in the final moments of Mother’s
life - with everything within her, she raised her right hand up high and quietly expressed “Amen” … with
her final breath in this earthly body, she was still offering praises unto our God.
According to holy scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:8, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
So, we celebrate today her new eternal and abundant life; she is now “home”.

Active Pallbearers Honorary Pallbearers Flower Bearers
1.Marlon Samuels 1. Eric Johnson Lynell Barlow
2. Jackson Sevieux 2. Alton Lister II Dyron Burgess
3.Tyrone Barlow Omar Scott
4.Ernest Barlow 3. Jermaine Brown Ricky Spotville
4. Joseph Barlow, Jr Marlon Samuels
5.Theotis Reed 5. Elder Kelvin Wimbish
6. Ricky Spotville 6. Jermain Brown, Jr
7. Marshall Barlow
8. Dyron Burgess

9. Omar Scott
10. Maurice Barlow
11. Anthony Barlow
12. Charles Colston

13. Clifton Jones

Commemorative Sweet Treat by *Kaynes_Kreations
Refreshments in Church Lobby Immediately Following Service

*Proprietor and Goddaughter Kena Chapple

Internment Entrusted To:
Forrest Lawn Memorial
21300 Via Verde Drive

Covina, CA 91724

Arrangements

22939 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 109
Torrance, California 90505

Office: 310.373.1222 ~ Fax: 310.373.1233
email: [email protected]

www.cllynchmortuary.net