Barbara Johnson

Mother Barbara J. Johnson was one of those gifts given to the body of Christ, her family, and friends. She was born on November 24, 1950, the third child of three, to Elder John W. McCann and Sis. Velma McCann in Talladega, AL. It was evident to Mother Johnson's parents and to others early on that she was indeed a gifted and chosen vessel. Mother Johnson was baptized in Jesus' Name and filled with the Holy Ghost at the age of 13 in the year of 1963. That presence of God in her life enabled her too almost "do it all." As one of the founding members at the Refuge Church, she was a faithful, true daughter of the house and a willing worker who committed herself to fulfilling any acts of service that would promote the Kingdom of God at Refuge. During her nearly 60 years of membership there, she served under Bishop Milton H. Hill and his successor, Elder James Jackson and now Pastor Elder Willie Best, in various capacities as: First Vice President of the Refuge Missionary Department and Soloist/Choir Member of the Refuge Church Choir. Mother Johnson was educated through Westside School in the 1960-1961 and later matriculated and made history as one the first black students to integrate and graduated from the newly built "Talladega High School" in Talladega, AL in the 1970s and excelling academically. After completing her education, she was employed by the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (Helen Keller) School in 1989 and retired in 2012 as a Dormitory Aide working with special needs students. She loved helping her special students and communication skillfully through American Sign Language. Her love for people carried over to her family and their well-being. It carried over to her first love, Carl Johnson whom she married on June 19, 1972. That union produced three beautiful children: Dettrick, Barneka, and Barrick (deceased). Into them she poured her love for God; her love for Family; her passion for ministry and her love for music as one of the founding singers in the "Mabelaires" gospel group in 1962. She was a pianist in her on right, which she instilled her musically inclined skills and taught her children how to play the piano. Mother Johnson continued to encourage the gifts and talents of her children, which two of them are (musicians and singers); her spirit of excellence; her mantle of prayer, praise and faith; her work ethic; her humor and so much more. And today, they arise and call her BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED BY GOD. On June 27, 2024, Mother Barbara Johnson peacefully transitioned into the presence of The Almighty God where she is now resting from all her labor to her reward. The "gift" bestowed upon us in 1950 has now returned to her Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elder John W. McCann and Sis. Velma McCann and her husband, Carl Johnson, and her son Barrick Johnson. The legacy of Mother Barbara Johnson lives on in the memory of her two loving and devoted children: one son, Mr. Dettrick C. Johnson of Montgomery, Alabama; one daughter, Miss Barneka Johnson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; one sister, Ms. Marie Adams of Talladega, Alabama; one brother, Mr. John E. McCann of Talladega, Alabama; three sisters-in-law, Ms. Priscilla Ann Johnson-Savary and Mrs. Hazel Johnson of Pensacola, Florida, and Mrs. Joan Johnson of Birmingham, AL; special friends of the family, Ms. Edith Brown, Mrs. Ruby Wills, Psalmist Denita Gibbs, and Elder Willie (Nadine) Best; the entire Refuge (COOLJC) Church Family; and the Alabama State Diocese Family; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Tributes

Barbara Johnson

November 24, 1950 - June 27, 2024