Obituary

Myrtle Beatress Johnson

Myrtle Beatress Johnson was the daughter to the late Leroy Cole and Mariah Cheeks-Cole, born on June 25, 1932 in Baltimore Maryland. She was the second of five children born to the couple: Leroy Jr., Mildred, Marshall, and Geraldine all of whom preceded her in death. Myrtle was educated in the Baltimore City's public school system. She worked short stints at different jobs throughout the years: Lutheran Hospital, Notre Dame College cafeteria, and Meals on Wheels, to name a few.

Myrtle "Mert" to her friends has always been a bright fun loving spirit. She could be described as warmhearted, affectionate, petite, feisty, drama queen, young at heart, spiritual and a giving person. For a few years in the early 60's she was partners in a dance studio that she really loved. Mert's free spirit soared when she danced and she enjoyed all kinds of dances: Ballroom, Latin, Disco, Club, she loved it all.

Mub as she was affectionately called by her children and grandchildren was always entertaining the kids one way or another. In her younger years she was very active in social clubs, like the democratic women's association, volunteering at her children's elementary school and summer camps. She took part in the 1963 march on Washington DC where Dr. King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Mub was taking Jui Jitsu and Karate lessons long before it was fashionable to do so. Yes, she did enjoy night clubs and live jazz music.

However her most important job was that of wife, mother and homemaker, she made that her vocation. Myrtle met the love of her life Louis Johnson when she was a teenager. They got married on her birthday in the summer of 1950 and had been together for fifty two years when he died. From their union were born four children: Patricia Ann, Ronald Louis, Tyrone Michael and Donnell Martin. Myrtle leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: her four loving and devoted children, eight grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and a host of other relatives and friends.