Bessie Brown

Bessie Mae Brown 77, died at 6:15 a.m. January 28, 2010, at St. Rita?s Medical Center. She was born July 29, 1932, in Forkland, Alabama, to Roy and Betty Smith Wright, who preceded her in death. She married Matthew Johnson, who preceded her in death. She then married Lonzo Brown, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Brown was a homemaker and had been a cook at the Cheryl Allen Center for several years. She had been a volunteer with the United Way and Lutheran Social Services. She loved cooking. That was her enjoyment. She was truly a caregiver and acted as a mother to many who came in contact with her. She had moved to Lima with her first husband. She was a faithful member of New Morning Star Baptist Church, where she was a mother on the Mother Board. She loved her pastor, the Rev. C.M. Manley. She has now been taken home to be with the Lord. She leaves her loved ones to cherish her. Survivors include two daughters, Diane Johnson, of Lima, Ohio, and Betty (B.J.) Johnson, of Patterson, N.J.; six sons, Percy (Eileen) Johnson and Ricky Johnson, both of Lima, Ohio, John Johnson, of Tiffin, Ohio, Matthew (Pam) Johnson, of Matawan, N.Jersey, Robert Johnson, of East Orange, N.Jersey, and Joseph (Antoinette) Johnson, of Passaic, N.Jersey; three sisters, Lorrine Fuller, of South Carolina, Eloise Johnson, of Passaic, N.J., and Ruthie Corbin, of Kokomo, Ind.; a brother, Eddie Johnson, of Passaic, N. Jersey; 21 grandchildren, including five she raised as her own, Raheem Johnson, Quanisha Johnson, Quentin Austin, Keona Madlock and Ranisha Johnson; 26 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Willie Johnson; and two brothers, Wade Smith and Willie Smith. Services will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at New Morning Star Baptist Church. The Rev. C.M. Manley will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Elida. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church, where the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor?s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com. Arrangements by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home.