Esther Johnson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Celebrating A Life Well-Lived Esther Lucille Washington Johnson Sunrise May 21, 1934 ~ Sunset June 5, 2022 Services Held Friday, June 17, 2022 - Strolling Visitation 4pm - 7pm Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48075 Saturday, June 18, 202210am - Family Hour Saturday, June 18, 202210:30am - Homegoing Service Canton Christian Fellowship 8775 Ronda Drive, Canton, MI 48187 Pastor David Washington Jr. Officiating Virtual Homegoing Service: YouTube: Cantoncf Facebook: Canton Christian Fellowship Esther Lucille Washington was born on May 21,1934 in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania to the parents of Luther {Percy} and Lellia Washington. Esther was the 11th child born into a family of sixteen children. She spent her childhood growing up in Grindstone, Pennsylvania where she attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Throughout her childhood she was an active member in church plays and sang in the choir. She excelled in school and attended Redstone Elementary, Madison Elementary, Brownsville Jr. High, and Brownsville Sr. High Schools where she graduated in 1952. After graduating from High School, Esther moved to New York City where she worked in a jewelry factory. She lived with her older sisters Viola and Frances, as well as her Uncle Joe and Aunt May. A year later her childhood sweetheart, Rufus Donald Johnson arrived in New York City and swooped her off her feet. They were married April 10,1954 and moved to New Jersey. A few years later they welcomed their first son, Donald. After moving to Detroit in the 60’s, three more children were born to their union; Denise, Kevin and Mark. In 1964 the family purchased their first home on Cheyenne Street. Esther became “the mother” of the neighborhood. Her family and children’s friends often stopped by to just talk with Esther. Guests were always welcomed and often dined with the family. Everyone loved her cooking, especially her famous macaroni and cheese and her homemade apple pie. Esther and Rufus opened their home to siblings and other relatives when they moved to Detroit and gained employment. Esther enjoyed bowling, playing bingo and Pokeno with her friends, and playing cards and board games with her family. Esther’s beautiful qualities were her kind spirit, warm smile, her nurturing love and care. While volunteering at her youngest son’s pre-school, she developed a passion for working with children and decided to enroll in college to earn a degree. Esther excelled but circumstances arose, and she was unable to complete her degree in the last year. Esther worked at Barat Human Services, League of Catholic Women Home for Girls. She worked through the ranks and became a supervisor. She received many accolades for her service before her retirement. After Rufus’ retirement from General Motors, Esther and Rufus relocated to Fruitland Park, Florida in 1998, where they built their dream home. Their Fruitland Park home was known as the “Johnson Hotel” as family and friends visited the Walt Disney resort. Esther was an active member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. She opened her home to her grandsons; Dante and Darnell, who lived with them for several years as they became young men. The grandsons still reside in Florida with their families. In 2019 when Esther and Rufus’ health began to decline, they returned to Michigan to be with their children and grandchildren. They were welcomed back to Detroit with a 63rd Wedding Anniversary Party hosted by their children. Esther stayed strong in her faith and was a member of Canton Christian Fellowship, in Canton, Michigan. Esther happily celebrated her last 88th Birthday with her family and friends. Esther was predeceased by her parents, her husband ; siblings She leaves her cherished memories with her children; Her sister ; sister-in-laws . Grandchildren; ; great grandchildren; . Also, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. ORDER OF SERVICE Processional Prayer………………………………..Pastor, Shelley Washington-Webb Scripture Old Testament Scripture New Testament Remarks: Cards and Acknowledgements……….Toni Woolfork-Barnes Obituary………………………………………..Toni Woofork-Barnes Selection……………………………………….CCF Voices of Praise Eulogy…………………………………………..Pastor, David Washington Jr. Recessional…………………………………..”Going Up Yonder” Pall Bearers…………………………………..Friends and Family My Sister, My Boo To my sister, My Boo, yes Esther that’s you. When my back was up against the wall, You were as close as a telephone call. When I was confused and couldn’t decide, You were the only one by my side. When I was upset and needed to cry, You understood the reasons why. When I thought that I couldn’t go on, You gave me your shoulder to lean on. Saying thanks is not enough, For your love, support and all that stuff. My love for you will never fade, As a sister, an A+ is your grade. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, These words of thanks are just a start. TO MY SISTER, MY BOO YES, ESTHER THAT’S YOU!!! Love Always, Your Baby Sister, Joan The Broken Chain We little knew that morning That GOD would call YOUR NAME. In LIFE we LOVED you dearly In death we do the same. It broke our HEARTS to lose YOU YOU did NOT go alone. For part of US went with YOU The day GOD called YOU HOME. You left us BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES Your LOVE is still our GUIDE. And although WE cannot see YOU YOUR’RE always by OUR side. Our Family CHAIN is broken And NOTHING seems the same. But as GOD calls us ONE by ONE The CHAIN will LINK again. Love, Your Family I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now, I am free. I’m following the path God has chosen for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I’ve now found peace at the end of the day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things, I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow Look for the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seems all too brief Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief. Lift up your heart and peace to thee, God wanted me now – He set me free. Love Your Granddaughter, Donielle A Poem For My Mother If flowers grow in Heaven Lord, then pick a bunch for me. Then place them in my mother’s arms And tell her they’re from me. Tell her that I love and miss her And when she turns to smile, Place a kiss upon her cheek And hold her for a while. Love Your Daughter, Denise In Loving Memory of Granny You left us beautiful memories Your love is still our guide. Although we cannot see you, You are always by our side. Love, Daesha & Jada Mother Thought of You Today But that is nothing new I thought about you yesterday And days before too I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories And your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake From which I’ll never part. God has you in His arms We have you in our hearts. Love, Donald, Denise, Kevin and Mark Acknowledgements The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love and kindness shown to them during their loss. May God Bless & Keep You! Final Arrangements Entrusted To: Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48075 Park Association Inc. Interment Detroit Memorial Park Association Inc. 25062 Plymouth Road Redford, MI 48239 In lieu of flowers, donations will support the Alzheimer's Disease Research Fund at the University of Michigan. Checks may be payable to "University of Michigan" and sent to 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650. Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please include "in memory of Esther L. Johnson in the memo line of the check or in an attached note. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the website https://victors.us/estherljohnson to make your gift.

Esther Johnson

May 21, 1934 - June 5, 2022