Mary Etta Bowman Johnson

Mary Etta Bowman Johnson, affectionally known by her siblings and nieces and nephews as “Mae” was born on November 5, 1950, to the late Mr. Willie Samuel Bowman, Sr. and Mrs. Mary Willie Menefee Bowman in Ragland, AL. She was the fifth of ten children born to this parentage, and the one many of them (including some older than she) saw as the “mother” of the clan.  She was the one they (as well as many others over the years) always looked to for advice, a word of prayer, a word of encouragement, or even sometimes a stern, yet loving, scolding to get them back in line.  She was known to be a listening ear for many, and would always listen intently, and then when the time came, if it was warranted, would lovingly say, “…But, you know you’re wrong, right?”, and would precede to give a loving word of correction, that was usually both much needed, and well received, because in fact, we knew we were wrong, right?

Mary was educated in the Pell City, AL School System, and at the behest of her late special Aunt Lola, enrolled in Miles College, Birmingham, AL where she met the love of her life, and husband of 49 years, John Johnson.  They wed on January 5, 1973.  And to this parentage were born her 2 children, John, Jr. and Ebony. 

Mary had a profound love for people, and an unbridled love for the Word of God and could be oftentimes found, with reading glasses perched firmly on her nose, studying the Sunday School Commentary and reading every reference Scripture that could be found in every foot note, and all the context Scriptures in between. Mary was a Prayer Warrior to her heart, and even on the day of her death, only hours before, having been on her usual morning calls, calling to pray with people. Throughout the years, she has worn many hats, as a daycare worker, a stay-at-home mom, a Sunday School teacher, an Intercessor, a Bible “Aficianado”, a good friendly neighbor, a community mother, a church mother, a loving sister/mother to her siblings, a mother, a daughter, a wife, an aunt, and a friend. But one of her most favorite titles (other than wife and mother), was that of Grandma.  She loved and doted on her grandchildren.  Her first heartbeat, Kendahl, her 2nd Baby and t-shirt stealer, Jabria and the late caboose of the pack, and possibly the loudest, Arabella.

Mary is preceded in death by her Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bowman; son: John, Jr.; siblings: Geraldine McGee, Wille S. Bowman Jr, Annie Davis, Harold Bowman, Lola Turner, Octavia Williams; and a sister-in-love: Renee Pemberton.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her beloved husband and love of her life, of 49 years: John M. Johnson, Sr.; daughter: Ebony and bonus son, Travis Givens; daughter-in-love: Mirquetta Johnson; sisters: Henrietta Nunn, Elaine (Wallace) Brewster, Althea Parker and Vanessa (Johnny Ray) Allen; bonus sisters: Peggy Anderson and Emilee (Charles) Byers; brothers-in-love: Ivery (Bridgett) Johnson,  and Willie James (Phyllis) Johnson; sisters-in-love: Shirley Johnson-Taylor, and Beverly (Alassane) Johnson-Diouf; her grandchildren, her Spiritual Leaders of over 35 years, Bishop Demetrics and Pastor Pauline Roscoe of Living Church Ministries, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, adopted family members, her church family, and many, many friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, March 4, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. at The Good Shepherd.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 11:00 A.M at Bethesda Apostolic Church in Montevallo.

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