N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Inc. | Memphis, TN

Obituary For Mae Emma Johnson

Mae Emma, aka “The Baby,” was born to Ben and Sallie Taylor Hayes on 15 Mar 1931 in Sherards, MS. The last of 11 children, Mae was a sickly child and had to be physically carried by her brothers and sisters through most of her early years until she could stand on her own. Mae Emma Hayes became Mrs. Robert Johnson in Marion, Arkansas, on 17 May 1952. Robert and Mae Emma were married 49 years until he died in 2001. She was small but mighty and filled with faith in God and Jesus as her Savior. Having put on the full armor of God, Mae Emma survived a severe Covid-19 infection in late summer 2020. However, she succumbed to a second Covid infection (Omicron) and died, aged 90, on 2 Jan 2022 while residing at Shaker Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Funeral Arrangements are managed by Cummings and Davis Funeral Homeof Cleveland, OH, and Jefferson Mortuary of Millington, TN. Please consult online editions of The Plain Dealer in Ohio and Commercial Appeal of Tennessee for updates on arrangements for services in those states. Mae Emma attended school in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Memphis, TN, ultimately passing Tennessee’s Board of Nursing exams as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1970. She retired in 1996 after having worked as a nurse at the former West Tennessee Chest Disease, Baptist, and Methodist Hospitals of Memphis, TN, and St. Alexis Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Mae Emma was one of the original, old school “influencers” and has inspired no less than five young black women to become nurses when the dropout rate among black students was very high. After retirement, Mae Emma was an avid traveler and lived in The United Arab Emirates, Burundi, and Barbados. While living in the UAE, she served her country as an escort at the U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi for 18 months. Mae Emma was a loving sister-in-law to Deloris Dianne Ketchum, dedicated mother to Michael Mems, Broderick " Jeanette", \\Vehttps://admin.mem.com/sso/newde/10510715#keepsake/webdisplayronica, and Angelo Johnson " Angie " and loving grandmother to Micheal and Paschel D Mems, Lytia M, Keren A, Sheena L, and Angel Johnson; Shannel and Barbara Sanders; and Shanika Hines. Phoenix Simms, Dillon and Deleah Hines, Princeton Ivy, and Kingston Henderson were great-grandchildren. She was the matriarch of the Johnson and Hayes Families with 18 nieces, seven nephews, and two further generations of great and greatgreat- grand nieces and nephews. Today, the Johnson and Hayes families extend throughout the United States and will carry her memory in their hearts.

Guest Book

A classy and wise woman in every way. Always stylish and immpecably dressed. Although I was her nephew by marriage, she was a true aunt to me. Will miss her greatly. (Rev. John Norman, Chattanooga, TN, Assoc. Minister, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, LaFayette GA.)55

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Honored to have know "Mrs. Mae Emma" growing up in the Evergreen Neighborhood. One of our Mother's most dignified friends and a joy to be around. Prayers for Rickey, Vic & Angelo.... Earline Stewart Daniels ( Mother- Dora Mae Birk) Gordon Richardson ( Mother- Armedia Richardson )

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May GOD STRENGTHEN YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY WITH LOVE AND GIOD THINGS...MUCH LOVE ERANA(BOO) RICHARDSON

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To the family of Mae Emma Johnson. We offer our deepest condolences to each of you during the loss of such a beautiful soul. We all loved Mae Emma so much and have so many precious memories. From the days on Merchant Street to days in Collierville. We love you all and pray that you all will be comforted and held close in the precious arms of the Lord. From: Charlene Jackson and family - Dallas, Texas

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Inc. | Memphis, TN