Juanita Johnson

Juanita Holton Johnson was born October 4, 1929 in Steele, MO; the youngest of two children reared by Deacon John L.Holton and Ms. Willie Lou (Jones) Holton.

Juanita was initially raised in Pascola, MO, later moving to the countryside of Neelyville, MO at age of 13. She attended Phyllis Wheatley High School in Poplar Bluff, MO (about thirty miles from Neelyville) where her favorite subject was Home Economics. She proudly graduated in 1949.

Her mother, Mama Willie, owned "Roosevelt and Willie's Tavern" where Juanita worked during high school.At a young age, Juanita was baptized at St. John Baptist Church, where her father served as a Deacon. Although she was initially fearful of the water, seeing her father standing beside the pastor provided a sense of safety. Following her graduation, she moved to Kansas City, MO, with her fiancé, John Willie Johnson. They were united in matrimony on June 16, 1951, in Arkansas after a long courtship. They celebrated their 60th anniversary with a vow renewal in June 2011. The couple was blessed to share 66 years of marriage before his passing. 

Juanita dedicated over 20 years to Dial Business Forms Inc. as a packer before retiring in 1991.In August 1951, she and husband J. W. joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church, serving faithfully for over 75 years. She organized the church's Easter program for many years, and was a member of the Church Beautiful club. As a devoted Kindergarten Sunday School teacher for nearly 60 years, Mama Johnson felt she needed to be in the classroom before her students arrived. She served as an usher on the Senior Usher Board for 50 plus years and proudly sponsored the Youth Usher Board #2 for over 50 years, ensuring uniforms were neat and decorum orderly. She was nicknamed "The Warden of Mt Zion" who ran a tight ship whether the Usher Board or the dining room.Over time, she became affectionately known as "Mama Johnson." She is fondly remembered for pinching kids' ears to correct them, pulling the hems of ladies skirts to indicate they were too short; in short she mandated proper church etiquette whether youth or adult..

Mother Johnson received various awards and certificates from her church, notably the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Leadership Award in 2011 for her exceptional support and leadership. In 2020, Mamma Johnson was bestowed with the title of "Mother Juanita Johnson" and appointed to serve on the Mt. Zion Motherboard. She embraced this role with pride and dignity. An active member of her community, she visited the Cleaver YMCA five days a week, where she formed many friendships. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, biblical movies, baseball, and nurturing her flourishing vegetable gardens each year. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Holton and Willie Lou Holton Haliburton; her brother, Rev. Jesse Lee Holton Sr.; her husband, J.W. Johnson; her daughter, Donna Marie Johnson; and her nephews, Gerald Holton, Robert Holton, Jesse Holton Jr., and Rodney Holton. 

Mother Johnson answered her Savior's call on January 1, 2026. As she reflected on her life, she embraced the words of2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Mama Johnson leaves a cherished legacy for her nephews: George Holton, Marcus Holton, and John Holton; her nieces: Geraldine McCann, Willie L. Holton Halbert, and Jeanita Eaves; her godchildren: John "Jackie" Robinson, Hevonte L. Robinson, and Dondrea Fisher Passmore; along with numerous great and great-great nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will also be fondly remembered by her Mt. Zion Baptist Church family, the many youth children (mostly now adults) she loved throughout the years and the community group at the Cleaver YMCA.