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Oct. 10, 1939 — July 8, 2020

Helen M. Johnson, 80, of Niles, received her eternal reward on July 8, 2020, at Select Specialty Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek.

She was born on Oct. 10, 1939, in Osceola, Arkansas, to the late Booker T. and Helen D (Davis) Washington.

Helen, a homemaker most of her life, enjoyed cooking for holidays, special events and church events; she could cook anything from ham hocks to peach cobbler with no recipe, always from her heart. Helen enjoyed watching Lifetime movies and westerns. She was a faithful member of New Vision Apostolic Church, where she has served as the custodian for more than 40 years, retiring last year. Helen will also be remembered as a kind soul, always providing a place for someone to sleep who was in need.

Helen married OC Johnson at a very early age, in Niles, where they started a family, giving birth to little OC Jr. and losing a baby girl through the journey. However, she gained a daughter on July 4, 2004, after the late OC passed. Helen found comfort in giving her daughter, Tytiana Johnson, a home, adopting her and raising her as her own. Helen moved from super-mom to super-grandma, giving love to three grand-babies. Josiah, being her favorite, brought her immense joy. She cherished every moment she could get with her loved ones.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, O.C. Johnson; three brothers, Oscar Lee Washington, Booker T. Washington Jr. and Robert Washington; daughter, Pamela Smoot-Moon; and her best friend, Ruby Reed.

She leaves to remember her sons, O.C. Johnson Jr., of South Bend, Premail (Patricia) Freeman, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Cornell (Alberta) Grayer, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Orlando Johnson, of San Francisco, California; daughters, Tytiana Johnson, of Niles, Marvita Fleming, of Lake In The Hills, Illinois, Theresa (Daniel) Graves, of Lakewood, California, Darlene (Cyril) Quinn, of South Bend, Rochele (Jerry) Hubbard, of South Bend; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.

A homegoing celebration will be at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Interment will follow the service at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to the church she loved so much, New Vision Apostolic Church at 819 Lake St., Niles, MI 49120.

Condolences and memories may be shared with her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.