Ms. Maydee Clarice Johnson

Born in Newton County, Clarice graduated from J. H. Rowe high School in Jasper Texas. She attended Houston Tillotson College, Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, where she earned degrees in Education and a Master’s in Education.

Clarice loved to sew. Her first job out of high school was as a seamstress for a clothing store in Houston. While working as a seamstress she began college with her sights set on a degree in education. She completed college and became a public school teacher. She taught in Newton County, Hitchcock Texas where she was their first black teacher, and Houston Independent School District.

Clarice loved and enjoyed teaching elementary children. One could tell by the many colorful visual aids in her classrooms that she was a committed to educating the young mind. Her impact was felt district wide as she was a coach for spelling bees and basketball games. Clarice taught school for 31 years before retiring.

She also loved to travel. Her most memorable travel destination was a solo trip by bus to Canada where she photographed the scenery and made a few new friends along the way. She also traveled with her family to the Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns.

Clarice was preceded in death by both her parents and her siblings, Worthy Rushing, Lorine Cooper, Minnie Johnson, Dorothy Hilton, Mira Twine, Bernice Twine, Howard Twine, Loyd Twine and Floyd Twine, Jr. She is survived by her son, Dwayne Johnson, grandchildren, Ashly Johnson, Errin Bell, Candace Johnson, Nicole Johnson, great grandsons Ashton Porter and Chaziel Bell, along with many nieces and nephews.