And we'll go back as the memories hit us......

Mrs. Eddie Bell Johnson, age 91, died at home on Saturday, June 23, 2012 with complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease.  Born July 7, 1920 in Marianna, AR, she relocated to Memphis, TN in her thirties, and worked in the food industry until retiring in 1985 from Memphis Furniture Factory. Ms. Eddie B. as she was affectionately known was a member of Tabernacle of Praise Baptist Church where she held a variety of positions including Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher, A member of the Willing Workers Ministry, Greeters Ministry, President of the Deaconess Ministry, as well as head of the Kitchen Ministry.  She was best known for her fabulous cooking/catering skills as well as her cakes.

Survivors include her brother Prince Rice (Memphis, TN), her daughters, Jean E. Johnson, (Oklahoma City, OK) and Alice Waller (Memphis, TN); Grandchildren, Reginald Johnson (Atlanta, GA), Rhonda Leake and Kerry Leake (Memphis, TN), great-grandchildren, Quinton Johnson, Maya Johnson, Kerry Leake, Jr., and Joshua Leake (all of Memphis, TN); her devoted friend and weekly companion, Willie Mae Marshall; nieces, nephews and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephew.  Ms. Johnson was preceded in death by six of her siblings and her mother. 

Ms. Eddie B. had a small immediate family, but an extensive extended family.  From the people that remembered her cooking, her cakes and her fried pies, to the many, many children who passed through her Sunday School Class, her Vacation Bible School Classes and those that she adopted around her with whom she loved and labored.   From Bible Trivia to fussing and feeding, she has touched so many lives.  There are so many souls credited to her account that the full number will only be known in Glory.  Her Spiritual journey from the mourners’ bench in Marianna, AR to the Choir at Mt. Nebo MBC to being one of the founders of Praise of Zion Baptist Church under Pastor Bobby C. Brooks to having the privilege to serve under the leadership of one of the many children in her extended family that went on to greatness, Pastor Derrick Davis, her complete legacy cannot be told.

Without a doubt, though, Ms. Eddie B.’s legacy will include the challenge and encouragement to all she met to strive for excellence and always do the best you can; and she practiced what she preached.  Her legacy will include her incredible faith and focus on serving the Lord Jesus through her generous giving and sacrifice, even as she dealt with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her legacy will serve as a reminder to all who knew and loved her to run our race with the same perseverance and faith through it all. Her desire to serve God and walk with Jesus and to tell others about the goodness of the Lord never waned or changed.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that Memorial contributions be sent to the Alzheimer’s Day Care Center (aka Dorothy’s Place) at 3185 Hickory Hill, Memphis, TN 38115 or entered at through their website at (http://www.alzheimersdayservices.org/wordpress1/ or Crossroads Hospice Care at 1669 Shelby Oaks Drive, Suite 106, Memphis, TN 38134, website http://www.crhcf.org/Default.aspx  in Memory of Mrs. Eddie B. Johnson.

The words of encouragement that have been and are being shared here are encouraging to her family.  Please feel free to continue to share.