Betty Lou Johnson

Betty Lou Ratcliff, was born to Mariah Williams and Oliver Ratcliff on October 10, 1938, in Wheatcroft, Kentucky. She was raised by her grandparents Mama Lily and Papa West Ratcliff along with help from her aunty Luella until the age of 15 when Betty lost her grandparents. In 1955 Betty moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and lived with her birth parents, her brother Darrell Ratcliff and sister Shirley Ratcliff. That same year Betty married Roosevelt Thomas and gave birth to Valletta Scurlock. In 1957, Betty left Indiana and moved to Oakland, California with Phillip Drake. They eventually moved to Los Angeles and she gave birth to her daughter Phyllis Drake, a year later in 1958. Although they did not stay together Betty was able to maintain her life in Los Angeles with support from Phillip’s relative, MaryDee Jones. Each day she would take the bus to work and on one particular day Betty met Ollie Newell, who was an RTD bus driver on her route to work. In 1960, Betty and Ollie were married and Betty gave birth to another daughter, Arlene. Her only son Ollie Newell Jr. was born in 1962 and baby girl Marchelle (Denise) was born in 1964. They raised their family together on 89th street in Los Angeles, Ca. They stayed together for many years with many ups and downs but eventually Betty made the decision that it was time to create a healthier environment for herself and her children. Following some advice from her coworkers she saved her money, left home and went back to live with MaryDee. Betty and Ollie were divorced in 1971 and she was granted the house where she would continue living and raising her children while working as a waitress at Hamburger Hamlet. Eventually Betty decided that she could not spend her life working as a waitress and in 1972 at the age of 34 years old she attended Southwest College where she obtained her GED. She eventually completed her prerequisites and transferred into the Registered Nursing program at the University of Southern California (USC). She was one of the 1st black women to enter into the nursing program and graduated in 1977. She also worked at the USC County Medical Center as a Registered Nurse. Betty continued on raising her family in Christ Jesus just as she had learned as a young child growing up in the Baptist Church. She worked at Wadsworth Veterans Hospital, Patton State Mental Hospital and Loma Linda Veterans Hospital throughout the years. After moving to Moreno Valley, California, she met Cloyde Johnson in 1984 while working at Loma Linda Veterans Hospital who she later married in 1990. They were together for 30 years in total until Cloyde’s passing in 2014. Betty worked as a Registered Nurse for 30 years until she retired. She inspired so many of her children and grandchildren to enter the medical field as a result of all she had accomplished. Betty and Cloyde were able to enjoy spending time with their family taking trips and enjoying big family dinners almost every holiday! In her later years, Betty made the decision to move into an Assisted Living Facility where she was an advocate for many of her fellow residence in regards to their medical care needs. Betty is proceeded in death by her husband Cloyde, parents Mariah and Oliver, and grandparents Lily and West. Betty leaves behind 5 children: Valletta, Phyllis, Arlene (Fredrick), Ollie (Tyler), and Marchelle; 16 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren, and 4 great, great grandchildren; Siblings Darrell (Terri) and Shirley; and a host of relatives and friends. Betty will truly be missed by all who loved her.

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