Minnie Johnson

Minnie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and so much more.

“To everything there is a season,”
Minnie Priscilla Johnson, born on December 7, 1945 to the late Horace Cleo Brown and Evelyn G. Brown. She transitioned peacefully at her residence on September 15, 2026, leaving behind a legacy defined by dedication and unfailing, unwavering love of her family, faith, strength, honor, dignity, wisdom and integrity. Minnie understood the rhythm of the days—there was a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Every appointed time was met with grace, strength and profound love. Throughout her journey, Minnie built a life characterized not merely by what was accumulated under the sun, but by faith, by the love shared and demonstrated, by the words of wisdom spoken and the steadfast presence offered to family, friends and strangers alike.

“A time for every purpose under heaven,”
Minnie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the “baptismal pond” and joined Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend A.D. Smith. She served in the Senior Choir until her health began to fail. Minnie enjoyed preparing care bags filled with candy and treats to bring to Church each Sunday for the children. Minnie took her personal intimate relationship with GOD serious. She was an intercessor whose persistent intercession on the prayer wall fiercely guarded, guided, protected and covered her husband, children, grandchildren, great grand-children and others through every season.

Minnie was educated in Chesterfield County schools. She spent several years as a Production Supervisor at Sterile Concepts, Inc. She later became a caregiver for individuals who were homebound. Minnie had an undeniable devotion to her family. Her unwavering love transcended through everything she touched. She loved to host family gatherings. Her love also resonated through her cooking and baking; so much so that her baby brother refused to share her famous “white cake” with anyone else. You could always come by the house during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and find the kitchen filled with the fresh welcoming aromas. In addition to cooking and spending time with family, she also enjoyed fishing, time at the beach and in the mountains, word search puzzles, singing and dancing. Some of her favorite game shows were Flip Side, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud.

Minnie married the love of her life, Norman DeWebster Johnson, Sr., on March 18, 1962, sharing 64 wonderful years of marriage together. Their marriage was a true reflection of the totality of GOD’s love in action on earth. Their relationship was one of faith, love, covenant and devotion. From this union they were blessed with four children. Two sons, Norman D. Johnson, Jr., and Nelson D. Johnson, Sr.; and two daughters, the late Gwendolyn T. Johnson-Hembrick and Reverend Bridgette M. Johnson.

Minnie was preceded in death by her daughter Gwendolyn T. Johnson-Hembrick, great-granddaughter Brooklyn Brown, brother Nelson Brown, Sr. and sister Eula Battle.

“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance,"
As the scripture reminds us, we now mourn the loss of Minnie, yet we also rejoice in the abundant laughter and joy she brought into our lives. To cherish her memory, she leaves her loving devoted husband of 64 years, Norman, Sr., her sons Norman, Jr. (Patricia), Nelson, Sr. (Angie), daughter Reverend Bridgette Johnson; grandchildren: Cherise Hembrick, Robert Hembrick, Jr., Antonio Johnson, Roger Brown, Normanique Johnson, CPT Giavanni Braboy (Dianna), Darnell Drew, Jr. (Kayla),
Bridgette Byers (Jordan), Nelson Johnson, Jr., Alyssa Johnson, great- grandchildren: Jordyn Shorty, London Brown, Odyssey Johnson, Giavanni Braboy, Jr., Giannis Braboy, Emilyn Ilin, Jelani Drew, Lily Drew, Capri Byers, Ava Byers and Ivie Byers; siblings: Thelma Branch, Diaconate Florine Pollard, Marva Bennett, Horace Percel Brown (Sally), Rose Tabb, Reverend Theresa Mason (Charles), Evelyn Berry (Jerry), Evangelist Alice Pegram (Kenneth), Evangelist Inga Henry (Larry), Larry Brown (Sheree), devoted daughters-in-law Patricia Johnson and Angie Johnson, and a host of loving and kind nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Minnie's seasons of life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 11521 Coalboro Road, Chesterfield, VA 23838.