Odessa Johnson

Odessa Johnson was born to Cap and Bessie (Taylor) Johnson.  He was the fourth child of eleven children.  He received his early childhood education in Wilmot, AR.  He received Christ at an early age at Walnut Grove, AME Zion Church, Wilmot AR.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1947.  He worked for the Georgia Pacific paper mill in Bastrop, LA from 1948-1952.  He moved to Chicago, IL in 1952 and worked at the Chicago Stock Yard.  In 1953 he worked at International Harvester (Navistar) until he retired in 1987.

He was a faithful member of  Calvary Methodist Church which later merged and became Grace Calvary United Methodist Church; were he served on the Trustee Board, Usher Board and United Methodist Men’s Ministry until his health failed him. He marched in the 1995 Million Man March.

He is preceded in death by his parents, six siblings:  Essie, Ted, Ola Mae (Muff), James (Brother), Cora Lee (Red) and Bernice.  Three children: Elmer Marie Atkins, Douglas Mae Randal (Duck) and Alton Johnson. Three Grand Children, Carolyn, Mario and Bobby.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife Mildred Johnson; three children; Henry (Sue), Emeritus (Hazel), Alesia (Roger) and daughter in-law; Hyrthia.  19 Grandchildren, 46 Great Grandchildren; 3 Great Great Grandchildren; 4 siblings: Lucille Nunley of California, Charles
Johnson (Lois) Bellwood, IL.  Willie Ed Johnson (Flora) St. Louis, MO; Fred Johnson (Ola) Jacksonville, AR. And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.

The Johnsons wish to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes. Special thanks to the Greater Faith Community Church of South Haven, Michigan, Julie Fox, and Elizabeth Holden.

Services took place on May 3, 2014 at the Grace Calvary United Methodist Church in Chicago, Illinois. The burial took place at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Illinois.