Mother Emeritus Aretha Johnson

JOHNSON, Mother Emeritus Aretha - Age 94, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Covenant Health Care-Harrison in Saginaw, MI. Family hour 11:00 AM Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Divine Grace Ministries Church, 3271 E. Atherton Rd., Burton, MI with funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM Pastor Bobby Johnson officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Association, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:00 AM Saturday. Mrs. Johnson will lie in state in the Chapel of Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave. in Saginaw, MI on Thursday, March 16, 2017 and may be viewed from 2:00 PM-8:00 PM. Additional viewing will take place at Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM on Friday, March 17, 2017. Mother Emeritus Aretha “Madea” Hazel (Plant) Johnson was born June 15, 1922 in Hensley, Arkansas, the daughter of Daniel Sr. and Victoria (Turner) Plant. She married Bobby Louis Johnson on July 23, 1949 in Hot Springs, AR. After moving to Saginaw, MI she entered the Adult Education Program, at Arthur Hill High School and became a graduate in 1977. Aretha began working for Saginaw County Hospital as a Medical Care Worker, and later worked at Saginaw General Hospital, Saint Luke Hospital and the Buena Vista School District. She culminated her career as a Foster Grandparent Volunteer at Mott Children's Hospital, serving disabled and challenged children. She was an excellent cook and often prepared meals for family, friends, church and the community at large. She was generous with her time and resources and loved people. Mother Johnson was an active and dedicated member of the Divine Grace Ministries Church Family and often volunteered as a Foster Grandparent in Saginaw and Genesee County. Mother Emeritus Aretha Hazel (Plant) Johnson leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Mrs. Julia “Jeanette” and Mr. Arlandist McCollum of Bridgeport, MI; 2 sons, Mr. Ollie “Wayne” and Mrs. Margaret Montgomery of Davenport, FL, Pastor Bobby and Mrs. Mary Johnson of Grand Blanc, MI; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members and friends survive. “Madea” was preceded in death by her son, Alvin Swiney; parents, Daniel Sr. and Victoria (Turner) Plant and siblings, Willie Mae Burton, James Plant, Ollis Plant, Daniel Plant Jr., Edward Plant, Ollie Jones, and Jessie Butler. The family would like to extend special thanks to the Covenant Hospital and staff, the Divine Grace Ministries Church family and everyone that has extended their love and prayers at this time of grief.

Mother Emeritus Aretha Johnson

June 15, 1922 - March 8, 2017