Ida Faye Johnson
September 5, 1939 – October 12, 2024
(Obituary provided by the family)
I was born on September 5, 1939, in Gibsland, Louisiana, to my parents, Green Wade and Mattie Lee Wilson Wade. Emma Hewitt, my great-aunt on my mother’s side, was the midwife who helped bring me into the world. My family lived in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, but when I was just a month old, my mother (whom we lovingly called Madea), Jewel (my oldest brother), and I moved back to Mississippi. We stayed there until I was three years old, at which point my daddy got a job at the paper mill in Hodge, Louisiana. So, in August of 1943, we made Hodge our home, and I turned four years old that September.
At the age of six, I started first grade at Galilee’s old church. Mrs. Bolds and Mrs. Henderson were my teachers, and Mrs. Pearl Bee was the principal. I attended school there from 1st through 7th grade, and for 8th grade, we had to go to Jonesboro. Mr. Wensley Turner and Mr. James Bonner were my teachers during those years. I thoroughly enjoyed high school. The children in Hodge caught the bus, and Mr. Tom Hayes and Mr. Henry Amos were my bus drivers. I was a cheerleader for the football team, sang in the school choir, and in my senior year, I had the honor of being crowned homecoming queen. We had a big parade in Jonesboro, and I thought I was looking pretty and felt like I was on cloud nine (smile).
In August of 1950, Galilee Baptist Church held a summer revival leading up to the third Sunday. That Wednesday night, Coetta Butler (Mason) and I gave our lives to the Lord. On the third Sunday in August, we were baptized near Mr. Harry Mims’ house, where there was a pool of water. From that moment on, my faith became the center of my life. We had Sunday school every Sunday, and services on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. I sang in the choir on those Sundays, and when we moved into the new church, Mrs. Florence Beverly let me teach our Sunday school class. That’s how I got my start in teaching Sunday school, a role I loved. Sometimes my friends would come over to my house, and we would play church. And, of course, I was always the preacher (smile).
I graduated from high school at 18 years old in May of 1958. A year later, in August of 1959, I married James Lee Hammock on August 23rd. Together, we had three beautiful daughters: Latonya Maria Hammock, Alicia Shervonda Hammock, and Michelle Deonn Hammock. After 11 years of marriage, we got a divorce.
On September 18, 1972, I married EL Johnson, and we were blessed with one son, Everette Lenard Johnson. I had always dreamed of being a preacher’s wife, though no one knew this but the Lord. When EL received his divine call to the ministry, I was overjoyed. The Lord had blessed me with a preacher! We shared 49 wonderful, wonderful years together. EL was the overseer of five churches: New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Creston, Louisiana; St. Davis Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana; Spring Hill Baptist Church in Grambling, Louisiana; Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Hodge, Louisiana; and Mount Olive Baptist Church in Grambling, Louisiana. I was proud and honored to be the first lady, serving alongside him.
God blessed me with a large and loving family—16 grandchildren (8 boys and 8 girls), 16 great-grandchildren, and 5 great – great grandchildren. I am truly grateful for the life God has given me, and I thank Him for every blessing.
Sister Ida Faye Johnson leaves to celebrate her legacy and her transition to eternal life: five children: Clotie LaMott Wayland, Latonya Maria Henderson, Alicia Shervonda Goree, Michelle Deon Murphy, and Everette Lenard Johnson. 16 grandchildren: Keith Johnson, Celia Johnson, Latavious C. Hammock, Lynsi T. Henderson, Andryne’ M. Thomas, Rob’Breeshen A. Goree, Rockese A. Goree, Mi’Nicia R. Goree, Mik’Laka R. Goree, Edwin O. Murphy Jr., Ja’Leah D. Murphy, Emmanuel V. Murphy, Everette L. Johnson Jr., Elysia L. Johnson, Elijah L. Johnson, Ethan L. Johnson. Two God grandchildren: Yolanda Bradford and Katorey Johnson. 5 great- great grandchildren.
The Celebration of Life service for Ida Faye was held on Friday, October 18th at the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home.