Bonnie Mae (Mayers) Johnson

Bonnie Mae Mayers Johnson was born on July 9, 1924 in an area of Pulaski, Mississippi known as Graytown to William “Bill” and Sophronia “Fronie” Harrison Mayers. An avid learner, Bonnie was educated in the Scott County School system and at The Piney Woods School, the largest historical African American boarding school.

Bonnie married the love of her life Eddie O. Johnson in 1941 and they relocated to Gary, Indiana where they shared 73 years of wedded bliss. As a young woman, Bonnie worked at the Kingsbury ammunition plant making bullets for the soldiers during World War II. After the war she worked as a dental assistant with Dr. Paul Stephens until their daughter – Bonnie Rochelle was born.

She absolutely enjoyed being a mother to “Little Bonnie” and was very involved in all aspects of her life; from going on field trips, serving as the PTA president, sewing her clothes in accordance with the latest fashion trends, and chauffeuring her to extracurricular activities.

Bonnie was a devout Christian and took great pleasure worshipping at First Baptist Church in Gary. She served in many capacities throughout the years: President of the Deborah Missionary Circle, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, founding member and coordinator of the Food Pantry to name a few. It is because of First Baptist that she met her amazing circle of friends that she cherished deeply.

Bonnie Mae was well known for her excellent cooking and baking skills, always feeding anyone who came to her home. Her fried corn, baked macaroni & cheese, coconut cake, and homemade vanilla ice cream were just a few of the favorites. 

Mrs. Johnson was the world’s best grandmother to Candace and Crystal making sure to keep them neat and organized while exposing them to all that Gary and Chicago had to offer during their annual summer visits. She also enjoyed her role as step-grandmother to Tremain and Wesley.

After her beloved husband’s death in 2014, Bonnie reluctantly relocated to Burlington, North Carolina to be closer to her daughter and son in law Gregory. She joined Ebenezer United Church of Christ and was active in the Senior Bible Study until the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020 forcing her to remain indoors.

Bonnie is now reunited with her loving husband Eddie; her parents Bill and Sophronia Mayers; her siblings; sister Esther Boyd Manning and brother James Mayers. What a blessed reunion!

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughter Bonnie Johnson Pride (Gregory), granddaughters Candace Pride Allen (Kevin), Crystal Pride (Jamelle Eugene), grandsons Tremain and Wesley; great grandsons Wesley, Aijalon, and Troy; great granddaughters Brielle and Layla Rae; goddaughter Rochelle Moody Collins; grand-godchildren Xavia Ramirez (Mario), Antonia Collins, and Adam Collins; special nephews Ronald Boyd and Pleaze Marshall along with a host of other relatives and friends.

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