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Ada Lucille was the oldest of four children born on October 13, 1918, in Chambers County, Alabama, to the late Will and Hattie Revis Winston. She loved the Lord; therefore, at an early age she accepted Christ and joined the Mount Hermon Baptist Church in August, 1925.

She was a member of the first graduating class of Lanier High School, Lanett, AL.

Lucille was joined in holy wedlock to the late Reverend Charlie Howard on May 4, 1940. In 1941, they moved to Detroit, Michigan where the resided for 36 years. She united with the Tried Stone Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. Marion B. Terrell. She served faithfully as a Deaconess, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and in other various capacities. She was also a member of the Daughters of Commander of the Court of Detroit, Michigan and Past Worthy Matron of the Guiding Light Chapter of the Eastern Star of Detroit, Michigan.

She received a five year Theology Diploma from Detroit Baptist College, Detroit, MI. she retired as a
school teacher from the Detroit Board of Education where she taught for thirty years.

In 1975, the family returned to Lanett and reunited with the Mount Hermon Baptist Church under the
pastorage of the late Reverend C. L. Daugherty. She also loved her church very dearly and served faithfully and dutifully as a member of the Senior Choir, vice president of the Missionary Ministry, Vacation Bible School teacher, Deacon Wives and Minister Wives Ministries, Music Ministry where she served as church musician. She organized and served as musician for the Upshaw Choir. She was treasurer of the Building Fund Ministry.

Sister Johnson also served as musician for the St. James Baptist Church, Lanett, AL, New Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and First Missionary Baptist Church, West Point, GA; and the Zion Rest Baptist Church,
Valley, AL. Other affiliations included a member of the Home Mission Benevolent Society, NAACP, Les Dames Civic Club, a city Poll worker, West Shawmut Prayer Band and the Brother and Sisterhood Lodge of Shawmut.

After the passing of the Reverend Charlie Howard, she joined in holy wedlock with the late Reverend L. Z.
Johnson. He pastored the New Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and the First Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully and dutifully in many capacities.

After the death of Reverend Johnson who served as Dean of the Twin State Extension Unit of the
American Baptist College Theological Seminary in West Point, GA, Sis. Johnson became the Dean and served untiringly until her departure. She was very instrumental in planning the celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary on May 24, 2011. Even though she was hospitalized, she made sure the celebration was a great success.

Dean Johnson was preceded in death by her son, Robert Witaker in 2004. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Will, Jr., and two sisters, Sally Kate, and Juanita.

On Monday, June 20, 2011, this loving and caring voice was silenced as she entered eternal life.

A legacy of love is entrusted to the following survivors: a loving and devoted godson, Jamie (Janice) Heard, Lanett, AL; four loving sisters, Mary Lee Heard, Valley, AL, Mary K. Harper, Lanett, AL, Lillian (Abraham) Livingston, Tampa, FL and Shirley Thompson, Columbus, GA; two loving brothers, Eugene Wright, LaGrange, GA and Richard Wright, Sr., Lanett, AL; three step daughters, Priscilla (Robert) Busby, Valley, AL, Rosie L. Brown, Buford, GA and Isabelle Alford, Phenix City, AL; two step sons, Elbert Johnson and the Reverend L. Z. Johnson, Jr. both of Valley, AL; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Whitaker, Valley, AL; granddaughter, Cathy Whitaker, Detroit, MI; two god granddaughters, Amber Heard, Valley, AL and Candace Heard, Lanett, AL; one god grandson, Antoine Heard, Lanett, AL; several step-grandchildren, tow great god grandchildren, Kenya and Keon’tre; two sisters-in-law, Mary Lee (George) Williams and Luvenia Barnes both of Lanett, AL; one brother-in-law, Rev. Monroe Johnson, Louisville, KY; and an array of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Professional services provided by Davis Memorial Mortuary Inc. in Valley Alabama. http://davismemorialmortuary.com

 

December 17, 2011
December 17, 2011
Cathy Whitaker, Granddaughter wrote at
2011-06-23 13:44:11



I have many memories of my Grandmama Ceil when she lived in Detroit. I loved the flowers she had enclosed in glass on her cocktail table. I remember the trips down south with her and Daddy Charlie, my sister, Roberta and brother Charles in their big station wagon. I am glad to have these memories and mourn her passing.
December 17, 2011
December 17, 2011
Tracey Heard Kendrick, Jamie's neice lit a candle at
2011-06-25 00:21:01



Rest in peace, Mrs. Lucille. I will always cherish the memories of my youth. I was in the Little Upshaw Choir that you organized. Nothing but fond memories I will hold close to my heart and cherish forever.

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December 17, 2011
December 17, 2011
Cathy Whitaker, Granddaughter wrote at
2011-06-23 13:44:11



I have many memories of my Grandmama Ceil when she lived in Detroit. I loved the flowers she had enclosed in glass on her cocktail table. I remember the trips down south with her and Daddy Charlie, my sister, Roberta and brother Charles in their big station wagon. I am glad to have these memories and mourn her passing.
December 17, 2011
December 17, 2011
Tracey Heard Kendrick, Jamie's neice lit a candle at
2011-06-25 00:21:01



Rest in peace, Mrs. Lucille. I will always cherish the memories of my youth. I was in the Little Upshaw Choir that you organized. Nothing but fond memories I will hold close to my heart and cherish forever.
Recent stories
December 17, 2011
Adolphus Eric Penn wrote at
2011-06-24 08:13:18I remember going on vacations to Detroit, visiting my aunt Lucille and uncle Charlie. My dad Rev. Joe Penn Jr, always made it a point to visit them in Detroit and Lanett, Al. Her work with the church was always about god and making a difference in the community. I visited her twice in the last year, we sat and talked about her growing up in Alabama, moving to Detroit, then coming back home to Lanett.
December 17, 2011
extended family wrote at
2011-06-25 00:40:34As a child at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, I remember vividly when Mrs. Lucille organized the Little Upshaw Choir. She worked diligently getting choir robes. She worked even harder trying to make me lead a song in the choir. I could not carry a tune in a bucket but she always encouraged me to sing. I can still see her peaking over the top of the piano as she played and directed the choir. I also remember Mrs. Lucille giving me the eye because I would sit in the choir and talk with my friends- LaChatta Woody, Robert Brock, Anita Ferrell, and many others. Oh, she still would tell my parents (Jack & Emma Lee Heard) of my behavior. It was all in love! She became our extended family and became Jamie's godmother. I will always cherish the fond memories and mourn her passing.

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