Mildred Louise Taylor Johnson

Mildred Louise Taylor Johnson was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on January 22, 1931. Mildred Johnson gave her life to Christ at an early age after being baptized at True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. She then attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS and later Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino, CA became her final church home. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband of many years Mr. Earl Johnson, Sr., her mother Ruth Norwood, her father Arthur Brown, and her grandson PFC Bernard McAdams III, US Army.

Mildred Johnson was also preceded in death by her grandmother, Dicie Taylor Pierce; grandfather, Rev. Will Taylor; grandmother, Bertha Wollie Brown; Aunt, Susie Willie Taylor Lee (James Esau Lee); aunt, Annie Beatrice Doyle; aunt, Ophelia Taylor Wright; uncle, Harrison Berry; stepfather, Simon Norwood; uncle, John Brown (Carrie Brown); aunt, Sydney Brown Purdee (John Brown); aunt, Lenna May Brown; uncle, Winfred Brown; uncle, JB Brown; uncle, Prince Brown and niece, Katrina Moore.

Mildred Johnson’s spirit for life and love of family will continue with her six children, Mrs. Cassandra McAdams (Rev. Bernard McAdams, Jr., deceased) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Mr. Earl Johnson, Jr. (Kaye Williams) of Alexandria, VA, Mrs. Yolanda Wilson (Edward Wilson) of Etiwanda, CA, Mr. Reginald Johnson of Las Vegas, NV, Mrs. Wendy Williams (Jerome Williams, Sr.) of Chicago, IL, and Ms. Arthea Johnson of Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Mildred’s memory will be cherished by thirteen grandchildren, Jamila Suhail (Muneeb), Zakiya McAdams, Nicole Muten (Kai), Marcus Johnson, Kamilah Wilson, Nakiya Davis (Toby), Reggie Johnson, Keland Johnson, Aisha Williams, Alia Williams, Ashley Williams, Jerome Williams II, and Cassandra Johnson; and five great-grandchildren, Sekou McAdams, Zain Suhail, Layla Muten, Khoury Davis, and Aidan Davis.

Mildred’s faith and love remains with her two sisters Ophelia Virginia Norwood Jenkins (Eddie Jenkins, deceased) and Virginia Tashi Norwood, her two step-sisters Elizabeth Moore and Patricia Moore, the Johnson family of Hattiesburg, MS and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mildred attended Eureka Grammar School and Eureka High School in Hattiesburg, MS, Class of 1950. In Hattiesburg she met and married Earl Johnson, Sr. and to this union six children were born. Mildred was a homemaker in addition to distinguishing herself as one of the first black crossing guards in Hattiesburg, MS. After moving to Chicago, Illinois in 1962 with her family she worked as a Nurses Aid. This love of medicine encouraged her to continue in higher education by earning an Associate in Arts degree in nursing in 1978 from Olive-Harvey College, eventually becoming a Registered Nurse. Mildred worked throughout the Chicagoland area as both a visiting nurse and staff nurse. After retirement, she used her nursing skills to provide support and guidance to the senior community at Renaissance Adult Day Services in Chicago, Illinois. After moving to Rancho Cucamonga, CA in 1998, Mildred continued to volunteer in the senior community applying her lifelong skills as a medical professional.

Mildred was a passionate and dedicated mother who always put family at the forefront of her life. She was supportive of all of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities, wanting to know specifics about school functions and current events. Mildred was a magnificent seamstress and quilter, she was a member of the Needles and Threads Quilting Guild whose history and works are celebrated in The Communion Of The Spirit (Rutledge Press, 1999). Her creations are priceless pieces of love that are cherished by her children, grandchildren, and friends alike. Mildred Johnson formed numerous lifelong friendships and was lovingly known as the matriarch of the family.

Mildred Johnson departed this life in San Antonio Hospital located in Upland, California, on Monday, December 26, 2011 at 10:30 AM surrounded by her loving family. Mildred Johnson’s enduring faith and love of family will forever transcend time.

Service will be celebrated Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am at New Hope Baptist Church in San Bernardino. Graveside service will be at 2:00pm at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, CA.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.