Essie H. Johnson

On December 30, 2020, the life of the most wonderful, caring, intelligent, creative and beautiful person came to an end after 89 years. Essie H. Johnson, of Humble Texas, was taken to Heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born in Water Valley Mississippi on September 30, 1931. Essie graduated from Sardis High School in Sardis Mississippi in 1950 at the top of her class. Her love of history and adventure prompted her to move to the big city of Houston even though she had no friends or relatives there. She started her career in the business world at the construction firm of Farnsworth and Chambers and later worked for Houston Shell and Concrete. She loved walking to work on the streets of downtown Houston from the Savoy Boarding House. A young police officer also lived at that boarding house and invited Essie to join him and a group of friends to go bowling. She married that handsome police officer, Joseph J. Johnson, on September 30, 1952. They bought a home in the Lakewood Subdivision in Northeast Houston and she devoted the rest of her life to caring for her children and grandchildren. Joe and Essie became members of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church where they served on the church council, were extremely active members, and raised their children to love and serve the Lord. Essie was married to Joe for 31 years when he passed away in October of 1983.

Essie was passionate about learning and education. She loved attending the high school and college graduations of her children and grandchildren. She kept abreast of current events and enjoyed discussing them with family and friends. She loved poetry and the English language and could recite many poems even when her short- term memory failed. Her favorite was Aladdin by James Russel Lowell. She was determined and unyielding when she decided to take on new challenges. As an example, she bought a very pricey sewing machine when her children were young, taught herself to sew, and became an extraordinary seamstress. She prided herself on raising her children and grandchildren to become successful contributing members of society. She was a constant cheerleader and caregiver to all family members and often would say; “if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right.”

She is survived by four children and their spouses: Katherine Johnson Clark and her husband Gary; Susan Johnson and partner Dennis Kindred; Karen Johnson Weeks and her husband Jerry; and son Paul Johnson and wife Lisa. Essie had 7 grandchildren: Ross Clark, Jeremy Acrey, Josh Johnson, Emily Maier, Russell Weeks, Katie Bartschi, and Kandace Johnson. Ten great- grandchildren include Caroline Clark, Cayden Acrey, Ella Maier, Laura Clark, Nolan Maier, John Clark, Taylor Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Garrett Bartschi, and Samantha Bartschi.

A visitation for Essie will be held Monday, January 11, 2021 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service will follow on Monday, January 11, 2021 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. With the committal service occurring Monday, January 11, 2021 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039.