Katie Mae Johnson (Hearst)

Mrs. Katie Mae Johnson 79, returned to Gods loving arms at home on Friday June 18, 2021. She was born in Lincolnton, Georgia on November 26, 1941. She resided in Passaic since 1960. She was an order-intaker at Popular Merchandise for over 3 years. She formerly worked at 2 Guys, National Wholesale, and Revlon for many years. She was a member of Mt. Pilgrim Missionary B.C. where she was a member of the Beautifying Club, Pastors Circle and Golden Agers of the Church. She was the past President of the Vreeland Village Community Association and very instrumental in the Educational Title 1 Program and various other residential and community oriented programs Katie took the lead to help implement the mandates of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act to involve parents in their child’s education. For more than 30 years, Katie helped position Passaic as the trendsetter for parental involvement on the Federal, State, and Local levels. She served faithfully as the Chairperson for the Passaic Title I District Parent Advisory Council for 15 years. She served as the Second Vice President for the P.T.S.O, President of Vreeland Village Community Association where she served on numerous housing committees. She was the only community representative chosen by the Governor to be a part of the Early Childhood Planning Committee when it first initial to become law be part of the education system thought a decision with Abbett vs. Burke. Leading and planning citywide educational conferences, school and community programs was Katie’s love language. Her love shined through her work in the school district. For example, her visionary leadership helped create the innovative Parent-Teacher Collaborative Program that encouraged parents to volunteer in the schools their children attended. At the end of the day, Katie simply wanted to make sure her kids, and all kids, had everything they deserved to succeed educationally The following are a few of the organizations and officials that presented Katie with awards and plaques: The NAACP, the Teacher Corp, Caucus on Black Aging, the Optimist Club, Passaic Housing Authority, Passaic Housing Residents Councils, Passaic Schools (No. 8, No 9), Passaic Board of Education, New Jersey Association of Parent Coordinator, New Jersey Associate of Public & Subsidized Housing, former Mayor Sammy Rivera, Margie Semler, and The Honorable Congressman "Bill" Pascrell. She is survived by and will be forever missed by her Husband of 59 years Roosevelt "RoRo" Johnson Jr. of Passaic 4 Sons Lawrence Mims- Paterson, NJ Bruce Johnson- Passaic, NJ Bryan Johnson- Rockwood, Michigan Barry Johnson- Passaic, NJ 2 Daughters Bridgette Johnson- Passaic, NJ Beatrice Johnson- Passaic, NJ 3 Brothers John T. Hearst Lexington, NC Joe Hearst Lexington, NC Arthur Richards Lexington NC 5 Sisters Willie Mae Holmes- Allentown, Pa. Beverly Wingate- Charlotte, N.C. May Frances Price- Lexington, N.C. Hattie B. Murray- Lincolnton, Ga. Shirley Jackson, Fort Lauderdale FL 11 Granddaughters 9 Great Grandchildren 1 Daughter in Law Vanessa Johnson- Rockwood, Michigan 2 Brother in laws Timothy Price Sr.- Lexington, NC Christopher Holmes Hackensack, NJ Predeceased by 2 Sons Bradford Johnson (2005) Victor Lemon (2020) 1 Grandson Marcellus Lamar Johnson (1990)

Katie Mae Johnson (Hearst)

November 26, 1941 - June 18, 2021