Willie M. Johnson

Willie Meriam Johnson, age 93 of Hixson, completed her journey to heaven on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Solomon’s House in Red Bank. The daughter of Joseph Ernest and Nettie Priscilla Dyer Cornelius, she was born in Chattanooga on Feb. 1, 1931.

Willie Meriam was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, John Eldridge Johnson; her daughter, Marlene Denise Dennis; and her eight siblings: James Thomas Cornelius, Sybil Delois Kelton, Ruby Christine Moore, Joseph Earl Cornelius, Eleise Priscilla Tilley, Wynona Irene Taylor, Ernest Marshall Cornelius, and Nettie Margaret McGill.

She is survived by her son, John Steven Johnson (Barbara) of Nashville; her daughter, Pamela Kaye Cormier (Stephen) of Sale Creek; two granddaughters, Meredith Nicole Franks (Jason) of Hixson and Virginia Kate Carpenter (Aaron) of Soddy-Daisy; two grandsons, Jonathan Michael Dennis (Samantha) of Hixson and John James Johnson of Nashville; six great-grandchildren, Lillian Belle Kilgore, Lydia Jolie Franks, Lennon Faye Franks, Lawson Andrew Franks, Jonathan Cooper Dennis, and Mark Grayson Dennis; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Willie Meriam loved her family dearly, and she was blessed with the gift of service. She felt fulfilled whenever she was cooking for and hosting her family and friends at her Middle Valley home of nearly 70 years. Throughout her life, she felt called to share Bible verses and the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. In fact, the last quote she repeated to her family was 1 John 4:4: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Beyond sharing her love as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she also worked in the cafeteria at Ganns Middle Valley Elementary School and as a sales clerk at Richway. She was active at Middle Valley Baptist Church while raising her family, and later joined and faithfully worshipped at Abba’s House.

Visitation will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, Aug. 2, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home (5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343), and continue at 9 AM on Saturday, August 3. A Celebration of Life will then follow at 10:30 AM., with Pastor Angie McGregor and Sam McNabb officiating. Services will conclude with the interment at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, with her grandsons serving as pallbearers alongside Jason Franks, Matthew Wyatt, Zach Wyatt, and Randy Linedecker.

Gifts of remembrance may be made to Middle Valley Baptist Church (7901 Middle Valley Road, Hixson, TN 37343) or Abba’s House (5208 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343).

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com