Willie Mae has gone home.

Willie Mae Johnson has gone home.

Dawn: March 8, 1944
Born: Bellville, TX
Parents: John Wesley and Sadie Yancy
Education: Austin County High School
& Franklin Beuty School
Church: Fountain of Praise and Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Employment: Vanity Salon
Dusk: June 20, 2011


Willie Mae's life was celebrated on Friday, June 24, 2011 by family, friends, and co-workers.   The First Elizabeth Baptist Church, 5054 Mallow Street, Houston, Texas 77033 was full of people who loved her on a hot and humid day.  Willie's brother, the Reverend William Yancy officiated.

Reverend Yancy, the youngest brother, spoke of how nothing lasts forever and we should all be ready for the inevitable.  He knew that Willie was ready as they shared a hug in the hospital.

Willie's oldest brother spoke of Willie's strong will.  When Willie decided she wanted a big screen TV, she went out and got a big screen TV.  When she decided her Dad's belt had worn out its welcome administering family discipline she said that belt was going to go and it did.  When her brother received a failing grade in school, Willie went to see the teacher and when she left he had a C.

Those of us who knew Willie from our encounters at Vanity Salon were able to fill in some of our blanks around Willie's life.  We knew she was a strong woman and we knew she was a pillar of strength supporting her children and grandchildren.  I think we learned that she was loved by many in a community of strong faith and belief.  She was loved by her co-workers and clients who came to say good-bye.  A large contingent of Willie's classmates from Austin County High School attended about fifty years past graduation which is amazing.

Willie Mae is happy.  She brought a lot of people together to celebrate her life.  We are all different and we are all the same.  And we all loved Willie Mae!

Willie Mae Passed Away

Yesterday morning I received an email with the news that Willie Mae died that morning. She had cancer. I was surprised, Willie Mae was not supposed to die on June 21st.

Willie Mae worked at a hair salon in Houston, Texas for many years. She worked for Glennis and washed hair. My wife was a client, and then she introduced me and I started getting my hair cut by Glennis. My children grew up spending time there, while Cherry or they were getting haircuts.

Willie Mae lived a life of service. She washed hair before your hair was cut and was the first person you spent any time with at the shop. Since she knew my family she would always ask me about Miss Cherry, or the girls, or Charlie.

Willie lived a life of service at home as well. She raised her daughters and then her granddaughters and even some great grandchildren. She was very proud when her granddaughter graduated high in her class and was admitted to The University of Texas at Austin. After a year at UT her granddaughter decided to join the navy. She was based in San Diego and married inside the navy and gave birth to her own little sailor.

Willie Mae liked to cook for her extended family on holidays even though it was a lot of work. She loved to take the bus to Louisiana and visit the casinos. Willie loved to celebrate her birthday.

A couple of months ago, Cherry asked me to check on Willie Mae when I went for my haircut. She had heard Willie was sick. Willie was there and she washed my hair. She said the doctor had found a problem with her digestive system and wanted to do a surgery. She was checking on insurance before she did anything. She never gave any indication she had cancer.

Willie Mae spent her life caring for other people whether her family or customers. She ended our last conversation with the same question she usually did: How's Charlie?