Rita M. Johnson

Herma Marie (Harnsberry) Johnson, the 3rd daughter of Izella (Harnsbery) Hill, was born April 27, 1939 in Oklahoma City, OK. Her biological father was Charles Russell. “Rita”, as she was called by all who knew her, (or else!), passed away peacefully in her Midwest City home on Sunday, February 10, 2019.

Rita will be best remembered for her love of babies, family and laughter. She had a smile that was infectious and the sense of humor that matched. She will be dearly missed

Rita was raised by ‘mama’ and ‘papa’, her maternal grandparents Mamie and Thomas Harnsberry in the family home located at 604 Wisconsin Ave. She attended Dunbar Elementary School and later, graduated with the Douglas High School class of 1957.

In 1955, Rita attracted the attention of a young airman at the beginning of his 22-year military career. Rita married Louis Johnson Columbus, GA), on February 22, 1958, in Oklahoma City. To this union, three children received the nurturing love of Rita, but she didn’t stop there.

As a military wife, Rita relocated often. She was an active League Bowler and played outfield on the Alconbury ladies Softball team. She also ‘sang’ tenor in several gospel choirs. Her working career included jobs such as, Cashier for Heck Drug Store, Washington D.C.; Certified member of the Missile Soldering Fabrications Team, Orlando, FL; Data Entry Operator, Alconbury AFB, England. The family returned to Oklahoma in 1975. Rita found employment in the Tinker AFB Exchange Shoe-sales department, followed work as Head Cook for the Tinker Eastside Daycare Facility. She also worked briefly as Cook for the Oklahoma Academy, Harrah Oklahoma.

Rita made her decision for Christ at an early age and along with the neighborhood joined the Greater Bethel Mission (Pastor C.C. Cooper), which later became the Greater Bethel Baptist Church (Pastor Teron Gaddis). Rita would unite with the 10th Street Seventh-day Adventist Church (Pastor Alfred Booker) in 1981. She became a Deaconess and joined the Valiant Ladies Society. 10th Street became the Voice of Hope SDA Church (Pastor Stephen Brooks). Under the leadership of current Pastor Terrell McCoy, Rita remained a faithful member until the time of her passing.

Rita is survived by her husband of 61 years, Louis Carl; Daughter, Lori Kay; Son, Lance Cordell (Lisa Ann) Johnson; Son in Law, Kelvin James Paxton; Grandchildren, Trevis Jamaal, Nickolas Emmanuel, Kaleb James Paxton, Lindsay Fayth Johnson, Eric Eliah Garza, Daniel C. Hall, Calenn Timothy Fdyfi, Tristan Deshawn (Telisha Kileen) Hutchinson; Great-grandchildren; Keyon Damariea Brown, Montrell Nictavious and Zayvion Markell Paxton; Jeremiah Isaiah and Ebony Alexandra Gill, Kilee Aniya, Tiberius Octavious and Xerxes Armadeus Hutchinson; Uncle Delbert Allen (Alma Jean) Harnsberry; siblings, Robert Ray, Ronnie Maurice, and Morris Eugene Hill, David Lee and Warren Allen Mac, Alese Ann (Alvin) Williams, and Edwina Avis Ward; special daughters: Michele Keyes, Emma Street, Debra Coker, Tracie Woods; Special son: John Jackson. The Johnson, Reece, Renfro, Franklin, Burns, Cooper, Porter, Veasey, Allensworth, and Hill families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; daughter, Felecia Annette Paxton; grandson, Gabriel Collin Fdyfil; siblings, Kay Doris (Freddie) Stull, Janice Maureen (Aaron) Knox, Glenice Doritha (Ted) McCauley, Yvonne Ruth Robinson, Alvin Carl Hill. Nephew Lynn Norris Franklin.

A funeral service for Rita will be held Friday, February 15, 2019 at Voice of Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3300 NE 23rd St., Oklahoma City, 73121. Interment will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 North Midwest Blvd., Oklahoma City, 73141.