Thelma Johnson

In Loving Memory of Thelma A. Johnson

Thelma Johnson was the second child of six children born to J.D. and Girlie Anderson on February 12, 1927 in Mineola, Texas. As a young child, Thelma’s early school years were formulated in Quitman, Texas at both Concord School inside Freedman Chapel and Quitman High School, where she would ultimately graduate as class valedictorian. Additionally, Thelma attended AME Church in Quitman as well.

After setting out on a new journey, Thelma met and married the former George Jones on March 23, 1945. To this union, three children were born. Later in life, she met her future love and life partner, Eugene Johnson, Sr. in Joliette, Illinois. They were married on April 23, 1951 in Santa Clara, California. Thelma and Eugene shared fifty-one years of wedded bliss. From the joining of this couple there were nine children. Eugene Jr., Mabel, Samuel, Annie Jean, George Jr., Melvin, Bonnie, Andrea, and Juanelda.

Thelma was employed as a nurse at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland, California for 35 years. Throughout her tenure, she worked in several departments, such as emergency, labor/delivery, post-partum, and the well-baby nursery, in addition to the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit. Patient care was paramount, and she prided herself on setting a high standard of care for her patients. After her many years of service, Thelma elected to retire on March 1, 1989.

As a retiree, Thelma became actively involved at Booker T. Anderson Senior Center in Richmond, California, East Oakland Senior Center in Oakland, California, and  North Berkeley Senior Center in Berkeley, California. Her time spent at these locations is where she found great enjoyment in line dancing, attending a variety of social functions, and socializing with friends. In addition to these activities, her other favorite pastime was shopping at Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dress Barn, and Joanne’s Specialty Shop. While relaxing at home, Thelma reveled in great pleasure solving cross word puzzles and watching her favorite television programs Dancing with the Stars and Judge Judy.

In November 2014, Thelma suffered a stroke. Upon her hospital release, she was relocated to Sacramento, California so she could continue rehabilitation recovery at Young at Heart Residential Home. After a short stay, she became adamant with an ever-reoccurring demand, “I Wanna Go Home!” Therefore, her wish was granted. She returned to her beloved home in July of 2015.

Thelma departed this life on Thursday, August 27, 2020 in her home of 57 years after a long battle with dementia and lasting effects from numerous strokes. Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Her treasured memories will be in our hearts forever.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Johnson, Sr., her parents, J.D., Sr. & Girlie Anderson; two brothers, Willie & Ed Quitman Anderson; two sisters, Odelia Winters & Altha Carter.

Thelma leaves to celebrate her life nine children, Eugene Johnson, Jr. (Debra), Mabel Johnson, Samuel (Joyce) Johnson,  Annie Jean Jones Thomas, George Jones, Jr., Melvin (Renee) Jones, Bonnie Manuel, Andrea House, and Juanelda Johnson; one brother, J.D. Anderson, Jr., twenty-four grandchildren,   32 great-grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends including a very kind, dedicated, and caring caregiver, Arlo Arcega, who made an enormous difference in her final year of life.

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