Lela Mae Johnson was born to Earth on December 22, 1924, to Annie Mae Whittstone in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she attended Hamilton County Schools. She was favored with 96 years and was born to eternity on February 22, 2021, back to her heavenly Father.

Lela loved God, Church, Worship, and her Pastors. She was a longtime member of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully as an usher, choir member, and on the Nurse’s Guild. It was there that she received her call to ministry, as she enrolled and graduated from the Baptist Theological Seminary.

Upon moving to the east side, she joined Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member of the Sunday School. As she aged, she worshiped with her daughter, Rosalind, and joined Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, where she attended faithfully and was recognized in 2017, as the oldest church member.

Lela loved her family and leaves a rich legacy to celebrate her memories: Seven children: Alex Kennedy (Linda, predeceased) of Murfreesboro, TN, Alexis Maxine Westry (Lethonia, predeceased) of San Diego, CA, Theresa Frost Fong (Horace) of Clarksville, TN, Freddi Collins (Dale) of Conley, GA, Rosalind Johnson of Marietta, GA, Gary Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, and Janice Johnson Burton of McDonough, GA; Nineteen Grandchildren; Thirty-six Great Grandchildren; a host of Great-Great Grandchildren and Special Loved Ones and Friends.

A public viewing will be held from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Thursday, March 4, 2021, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Olivet Baptist Church, 740 E. M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403. Live streaming of the service is available on the church’s website, https://www.obcministries.org.
Interment: Highland Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.