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Obituary for SHIRLEY CATHERINE JOHNSON
Shirley Catherine Smith was born on May 3, 1937 in Calvert County, Owings, MD, to the late Eva Rawlings, and Arnett Smith, Sr. She lived majority of her life in Calvert County Maryland.
Shirley was educated in Calvert County Public Schools. She supported herself and her 9 children, working at a tobacco farm. Her children grow up in a home, not knowing lack, full of joy and happiness. Shirley would spend time with her children; playing games like baseball. She would tell them it’s enough of them to have 2 teams, and she would be the pitcher. Close knit family, Shirley also helped raise other family members. In her later employment history, Shirley worked at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant until her heart health caused her to retire.
Shirley accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior as a young adult, at the original Brooks United Methodist Church. When Brooks Church moved to its second building, Shirley joined the Junior Usher Board, in her early 20’s. Served there not because of her age, but because of her size. Shirley served God on the Usher Board Ministry over 50 years; and received many rewards for her excellent service. Brooks is also where she met close friends, former pastor, the late Rev. Joseph Collins, (who shared the same birth date, which she would say sealed the bond), and his wife Ernestine, who she served with on ‘The Extension Homemakers Club’, and at the ‘Calvert’s Food Pantry’, also with her best friend Betty. Though she wanted to be there, it brought Shirley joy to be able to witness online the augural service of Brooks Church at its present new location.
Shirley had a great talent and love for Arts & Crafts. She shared her love and taught arts & crafts as a member of Brooks’ 4-H Club and at Brooks’ Vacation Bible Study. She also would make the centerpiece decorations for the tables for the Usher Ministry’s events. Shirley won many awards for her arts & crafts every year she would enter them into the Calvert County Fair. As a senior citizen, Shirley attended the Friendly Adult Daycare Center, where she created many of her award-winning entries.
Shirley had a very generous heart and a love for family. Her warm heart, won the hearts of all who she came in contact. She was called “Mom” by many others, who were not her own. She would welcome you, and treated you like you were family. She gave you the best hugs! That same love she instilled in her children. Her legacy lives on thru her family.
On Sunday, October 23, 2016, while at the Calvert Memorial Hospital, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and true friend, Shirley Johnson peacefully went to be with the Lord, when God sent His angels down to usher His daughter to be present with Him in heaven.
Preceded in death by her devoted daughter Ernestine Sewell, 2 loving grandchildren, Khalia Jackson & Twain Harrod, Jr., 9 siblings: Alfred Hicks, Chester Hicks, Carolyn Ann Mackall, Betty Jane, Elise, Elyse James, Mary Jane, Richard, Sr., and Robert Smith, Sr.
Shirley leaves to cherish her legacy and precious memory her children: Donald Tyler, Nathaniel (Kimberly), Debby, Joseph, Jr. (Shirley), Pamela, William (Jenene), Lynettle (Roscoe) and Wendy Johnson; Grandchildren: Kathy, Kevin and Gwendolyn Height, Chicas Hutchins, Demetri (Rashida) Tyler, Calvin Holland Sr, Cathy Williams, Ashlee Montgomery, Daveda, Brooke, Shenille, Danielle and Samantha Johnson; Great Grandchildren: Trochelle Smith, Tyra Harvey, Tiera Height, Calvin Holland, Jr., Dominic Height, DeKare Tyler, Gabrielle Ewuah, Blake Allen, Xaiver & Malachi Height, Kimberlyn Stevens, Damon & Marcus Lynn and Maya Tyler; Great -Great Grandchildren: Ja’Mya &, Za’Mya Yates, Semaj Jarman and Ky’Mani Jones; Brothers: Arnett, Sherman (Mabel) and Joseph Smith; Sisters: Ernestine Chase, Nora Jackson (John) and Janice Gross (Calvin) Shirley’s special uncle James Hicks & 3 aunts: Emma Kent, Ida Rice and Mildred Wills, loyal and longtime friends Ella “Betty” Weems and John Butler, close cousin, Georgia Lee Washington, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and many dear friends.
