Ollie Johnson

Ollie V. Johnson, 81, of Canton, MI passed away January 1, 2022.

On January 6, 1940 Ollie V Young was born to Will Arthur and Emma Young in Tchula, Mississippi. Ollie accepted Christ at an early age of 9, and was baptized at Good Hope M.B.Baptist church under Reverend C. L. Clark. Ollie joined the M.B. Baptist youth choir where she developed a love and passion for singing. Her early education was in the Tchula Public Technical School System where she graduated valedictorian. Ollie continued her education at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree.

After graduating from Alcorn State University she moved to Oxford, Mississippi and became an educator at the nearby Oxford Public School System. While teaching at Oxford she met and married the love of her life, Charles Brian Johnson. They are the proud parents of George Gregory Johnson and Debra Broughton.

When seeking career opportunities and a new life Charles and Ollie move to Inkster, Michigan where both became educators in the Westwood Public School district.Ollie’s passion for knowledge and thirst for educational advancement led her to pursue her Master of Arts Degree from Eastern Michigan University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

A dedicated advocate for education, Ollie and several of her coworkers took their students on annual trips to Washington D.C. to learn and see the cultural center of the U.S. Students got a firsthand view of National Historic Landmarks, Museums and historic places such as the Capitol, the White House as well as learning about how the government runs. Ollie believed that education could open doors for anyone no matter what background or walk of life you came from. She used to say,”If you try, you can succeed”!

Upon moving to Inkster Charles and Ollie found a place of worship that aligned with their beliefs and core values. The church home they found was Second Baptist under Rev. Hampton which later turned into the Cathedral of Faith Baptist Church under the tutelage of Dr. J. Herbert Hinkle. Ollie thrived there. She became a Sunday School teacher and won many souls to Christ. Her passion for singing and her love for expressing God praises led her to join the Cathedral of Faith Mass Choir. Ollie led many solos that literally brought members of the congregation to their knees. Dr. J. Herbert Hinkle once said after Ollie had sung, “Sister Johnson has opened up the gates of heaven today, and blessed us with a beautiful song, the doors of the church are now open”.

After Dr. J. Herbert Hinkle’s demise Charles and Ollie joined New Hope Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Virgil Humes where she continued her lifelong passion of singing and teaching Sunday School classes. Not only did she teach Sunday school in church she taught Bible studies every Thursday at the senior citizen facility in the community. She provided snacks, treats, gifts, holiday dinners, love, support and help in any way that she could. Ollie used to talk about service and how it is the highest compliment that you could give God. A favorite quote of hers by Dr. Martin Luther King,’’Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love”. Ollie had a lifelong commitment to service and helping others in the community which is evidenced by the life she led and the legacy she leaves behind.

Ollie made her final journey of the highest calling on Saturday, Jan 1, 2022 . Ollie was preceded in death by her dad Mr. Will Arthur Young, and mom Ms. Emma Young; her father-in-law Mr. J.C. Johnson, and mother-in-law Ms.Vannie Johnson. Ollie had three siblings who preceded her in death: Rose Weatherby, Trisha Young, Shirley Young, three brother-in-laws; Mr. A. B. Johnson, Mr. McKinley Weatherby, Mr. James Watson; three nephews, Larry James Young, Barnett Young, and Michael James Watson.

Ollie leaves to cherish her beloved memory: her husband Charles Brian Johnson; her son, George Gregory Johnson (Charito), her daughter, Debra Broughton, Milwaukee, WI; two grandchildren, Julian Michael Johnson, ATL,GA, and Gregory Broughton, Milwaukee, WI; two sisters, Cora Lee Watson, Inkster, MI, Barbara Mike, Indianola, MS; two brothers, Wille Mike (Lula) Tchula, MS, David Mike Tchula, MS; one brother-in-law Johnny Johnson (Fairie), Columbus, MS; one sister-in-law, Geneva Lyles, Westland, MI; three nieces, Sylvian Grooms (Thomas), Inkster, MI, Rochelle Lloyd (Marcus), Canton, MI, Shawnita Weatherby, Inkster, MI, Tiffany Johnson, ATL, GA; four nephews, Kenneth Weatherby (Rhonda), Inkster, MI, Donald Watson, Inkster, MI, Andrew Jackson Lyles, Westland, MI, Cory Johnson (Sharika), ATL, GA; and Sheila Johnson, Inkster, MI, a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, church family and friends.