Annie Johnson

Annie Johnson, 88, of Dowagiac, passed away, Monday, September 18, 2017 at her home.  Friends may visit with the family from 10:00AM until 12:00 P.M. Monday September 25 at Conner Mayo AME Church, 505 N. Front St., Dowagiac. A Home Going Celebration will be held at 12:00 P.M. at the church with Rev. Jerry Hatter officiating.  In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund has been set up at Honor Credit Union.  Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Annie (Wolverton) Johnson was born on April 25, 1929 in Stonewall Mississippi as the daughter of Clay and Florentine (Portis) Wolverton. Her parents both died at an early age, she and her brothers were raised by their Aunt Ethel and Uncle Whately McClendon. At an early age she gave her life to Christ. And was a member of Shady Grove A.M.E. Church in Quitman, MS.  Annie graduated from Shelby Owens High School in 1949. She went on to attend Nursing School where she receive a Licensed Practical Nursing Degree   (LPN) from Jackson College in Meridian, MS in 1953.  She moved to Michigan the same year.  Annie worked as a nurse at Pawating Hospital in Niles, for over thirty years, retiring in 1987.  She was a member of Conner Mayo A.M.E. Church where she held the offices of missionary, Sunday school teacher, trustee and steward.  Annie loved to read, complete word search puzzles, arts and crafts, cook, travel , spend time with her family and watch Christian television.  She was also very active in the Dowagiac Community. Annie spent time in the Dowagiac schools as a grandparent volunteer. She will be greatly missed by all. Annie lived to interact will all five generations of her family, which included her nieces and nephews. Annie is survived by her children, Mary Johnson-Therman of Ypsilanti, David H. (Sheryl) Johnson of Dowagiac and Rebecca Johnson of Dowagiac; stepson, Robert (Cynthia) Johnson of Grand Rapids, MI ; 5 grandchildren, Michael (Erika) Therman of Ypsilanti, MI, Khristopher W. Johnson-DeLoatch of Columbia, MO, Alexis Therman of Boston, MA, Robert Johnson Jr. and Nathaniel Johnson both of Grand Rapids, MI; 1 great-grandaughter, Ava Therman of Ypsilanti, MI; special niece, Eunice Murray; special nephew, John Mark Wolverton; sisters-in-law, Ruby Wolverton of Dowagiac, Wyvonne Johnson of Niles and Theresa Johnson of Saint Louis, MO; 4 special friends, Gail Clay, Helen Burns, Clara Anderson and Ann George;  along with a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Annie was preceded in death by her parents; her aunt and uncle; her brothers, Johnnie Wolverton and Walter Wolverton.