The amazing life of Rev. Loretha Williams Johnson began on October 15, 1933 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of the late Eugene and Alberta Griffin Williams. A gifted student, she was educated in the segregated Ardmore public school system where she attended Dunbar Elementary School and Douglas High School. She met and married the love of her life, the late Rev. Arnold Johnson Jr. while he was stationed in the Air Force in Oklahoma. Upon his honorable discharge, they moved to Erie, Pennsylvania in 1957.

Moving from the South to the North changed the trajectory of their lives. Although it was often difficult to be so far away from her loved ones, she and her husband sought every opportunity to build a good life for their growing family. Rev. Johnson's thirst for learning and her compassion for people in need, led her to seek employment as a nurse's aide. She then became a Licensed Practical Nurse at Hamot Hospital and was discouraged by school officials from becoming a registered nurse because of her race. Undaunted, she moved to St. Vincent's Hospital where she was the only African American in her class-and older than most of the students. She graduated at the top of her class with her bachelor's degree in nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She immediately began to encourage other people of color to become RNs.

As her family grew, Rev. Johnson worked the 11pm to 7am shift to be available for her children during the day. She was a parent volunteer, cookie baker, costume maker, chaperone, for field trips and never missed a performance, sporting event, or music recital if she could help it. A musician and an avid reader, she instilled the love of reading and music in her children. Piano lessons were mandatory and she was the first piano teacher for each one. A poet and prolific writer, she loved writing poems for her children for church holiday programs. She insisted that every word be memorized and performed with excellence. She was so proud that all nine of her children were college educated and lovingly called them "The Lucky Nine." She was also thrilled with our next generation of scholars who are continuing our legacy of  obtaining a good education .

A true Proverbs 31 woman, she was industrious and found ways to help augment the family income by hosting home parties for Amway, Avon, Tupperware and Beeline Clothing to name a few. She loved to shop with her girls and her prowess at rummage sales and flea markets was legendary. Her hands were always filled with things she gladly gave to anyone in need.

Her journey with the Church of God began when she and her husband became members of the West 11th Street Church of God where they served faithfully for 10 years. Rev. Arnold Johnson was ordained in 1967 and became the pastor of the Boynton Street Church of God in Meadville, PA . The family relocated to Meadville and Rev. Loretha was a constant source of encouragement and support to her husband, the congregation and the surrounding community. They both were active in civic and community organizations and they were well known for their leadership, integrity and generosity.

Rev. Johnson accepted her call to the ministry and she was ordained by the Church of God (Anderson, IN) in 1986. Returning to Erie in 1985 they were church planters and the East Side Church of God on Buffalo Road where they served as co-pastors until retiring in 2004.They joined the First Church of God under the leadership of Pastor Douglas Hepler. They served as members of the Senior Pines, Sunday School teachers and on various committees where ever they were needed to serve. In recent reflections, Rev. Johnson mentioned how grateful she was to be a part of the Church of God.

As a minister and a nurse she felt deeply that we are all the same under the skin and that God is not a respecter of persons. As a result, she wrote and published a booklet entitled Common Bond which focused on our unity in Christ. She loved the fellowship of the Emlenton Camp meeting at Whitehall and the work of the Western PA Church of God. She was also a staunch supporter of the National Association of the Church of God at West Middlesex, PA. Known as a Senior prayer warrior, she also served as a nurse, worked with the NAWCG, and the children's ministry on Zion's Hill.

In her later years she collected books for children and adults and distributed them freely during the camp meeting. One of her favorite sayings was "Technology is good, but what will you do when the batteries die? Learn to read!" Her rich, vibrant and influential life has impacted countless numbers of people of all ethnicities and in all walks of life.

Rev. Johnson's joy was her family. She enjoyed traveling coast to coast for weddings, graduations, and birthday parties. She also loved local celebrations at churches, restaurants, plays, concerts and visits to the beach. Her legacy of love is very much alive in the lives of her many descendants.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 55 years, she was preceded in death by her brothers Patrick and Lee Autry Williams and her daughter Thelma Louella Johnson.

Rev. Johnson leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sister, Mary Louise Alexander (Houston, TX), six daughters, Rev. Elsa Johnson Bass (Philadelphia, PA), Dee Ann and her husband Dr. Dennis Demby, (Butler, PA). Rev. Debra J. J. Johnson and Joyce Boaz ( both of Erie), Mary and her husband James Ernst (Portland, ME), Nancy and her husband Everett James, (Oakland, CA) three sons, Arnold Johnson CRT, RRT, BS, (Erie), Timothy Johnson (Alexandria, VA), David and his wife Sarah Johnson (Manasas, VA), twenty-five grandchildren, thirty-four great grandchildren, four great, great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. A special note of gratitude is extended to the staff and residents of Brevillier Village for their love and compassionate care of our Mother. Rev. Loretha Williams Johnson was our Gift from God and she will always be the Queen of our hearts. We will love you forever!

Friends may visit with the family at New Beginnings Church of God, 13226 Leslie Road, Meadville, PA, on Saturday, June 15, 2019, from 10am to 12pm, where a celebration of life will immediately follow with Rev. Gloria Rhodes, officiating and Rev. Douglas Hepler, eulogizing. Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Professional services entrusted to Pitts Funeral Home 2926 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504.