Johnnie Mae Anderson

A Time To Be Born Johnnie Mae Anderson was born August 24, 1941, in Winter Garden, Florida, to Leroy and Carolyn T. Anderson. A Time To Learn Johnnie Mae was educated in the public schools of Orange County, and was a member of the Charles R. Drew High School Class of 1958, Drew’s first graduating class. Johnnie Mae continued her education at Bethune-Cookman College (now Bethune-Cookman University), Daytona, FL, graduating, with honors, in 1962, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She also completed advanced studies in Education at the University of South Florida. Johnnie Mae was involved in several extracurricular activities and organizations at Bethune-Cookman. Most notably, she was initiated into the Delta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in the Fall of 1959. A Time To Serve Johnnie Mae accepted Christ at an early age and was a life-long member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Winter Garden, FL. She was a member of Choir #2, Church School Class #1, The Sarah Toney Women’s Missionary Society, and served as a Trustee and a Steward. A Time To Give Back As a public educator, Johnnie Mae touched and influenced the lives of countless students over the course of her 43 year teaching career. She began her teaching career in Brevard County Public Schools where she taught, briefly, before transferring to Orange County Public Schools. In Orange County, she taught at her alma mater, Charles R. Drew High School, as well as Jones High School, before transferring to Maynard Evans High School, where she spent the majority of her teaching career. Johnnie Mae also served as a teacher and tutor in various Adult Education programs throughout Orange County. Johnnie Mae was a mentor and “second mother” to her students at Evans High School, many of whom remained in contact with her long after her retirement. At Evans, she founded and was the Faculty Sponsor for the Young And Gifted Society (YAGS), and was the Faculty Sponsor for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Junior Choir and the Gospel Choir. Johnnie Mae was very “civic-minded” and took her responsibilities to her community seriously. She served two terms as a City Commissioner, for the City of Winter Garden, and served on various committees, coalitions, and councils throughout Orange County. Johnnie Mae also worked with the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. on relief efforts for West Orange County, following the tornadoes that devastated the area in 1998. Johnnie Mae was a member of several professional and community based organizations, among them, the Heroines of Jericho (Macedonia Lodge #98B), the Eastern Stars, the local branch of the National Educator’s Association (NEA), and the Orange County Classroom Teachers’ Association (CTA). She was also an active member of the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. before her health began to fail. A Time To Depart This Earthly Tabernacle On June 23, 2014, at 2:13a.m., our Heavenly Father touched Johnnie Mae with a finger of love and beckoned her home to dwell with Him in Glory for eternity. Johnnie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Carolyn, and siblings William (Billy), Reid, Sarah, Shirley, Betty Jo, and Ruby. A Time To Mourn Johnnie Mae leaves to cherish her memory Husband: Hosea E. Davis; Two Loving and Committed Daughters: Carlisa J. Davis (her Caregiver and Best Friend) and Tracey J. Brunson (her Soror); Three Beautiful Grandchildren: Zuri K.J. Davis, Xyla K.J. Davis, and Brandon R. Parham (ChaKia); Devoted Baby Sister and “Road Partner”: Freddie D. Anderson; Brothers-In-Law: Booker T. Davis, Jr. and Sylvester Scott; Sisters-In-Law: Lena Ruth Jackson, Lula Scott, Lessie Scott and Vinetta Ards Nephews: Carlos Brown (Martha), Cory Kendrick, Sr. (Denerica), James Smith, Paul Smith, Cory Kendrick, II, DaQwon James, Dontavions Jernigan, Kylan Williams, Kamal White, II, Braedyn Brunson and Kyran Williams Nieces: Kelcey Deboles (Michael), Letitia Brown, Beverly Wooten (Mannie), Carol Tillman (Al), Kutana Brown, Brittany McMillon, Toccara White (Kamal), Carolyn Morris, Briana Brunson, BreLynne Brunson, Ka’Nara Kendrick, Mikaya Brown, Charity Jernigan, Erin James and Tasha Kemp; Devoted Cousins: Stanley Anderson, Dorothy Bailey, Alexander James and Nathaniel Williams Godchildren: Rev. Dexter Johnson, Eric Debose, Gothriel Johnson, Fionda Boyd, LaTonya Benjamin, Altoria Pope, Nicole Harrell, Chianti Smith, Diamond Rodgers, Tameka Rawlings and Artavious Riley; Godbrothers: Theodore Willis, Dexter Booker, Rev. Terrell Blair, and Min. Gary Haskell; Godsisters: Bernice King Duncan and Lillie Bell Hill; “Adopted” Daughters: Helen Zanders, Sonya Wilcox, Clara Davis, Maxine Sweeting, Wanda Michelle Fayson Thomas and Cassandra Robinson; “Adopted” Grandchildren: Chrideisja Brown, Ralph Cadet, Bianca Duenes, Davon Earle, Bryce Hill and Evan Lawson; Special Friends/Colleagues: Gregory Bailey, Irma Holt, Mary Battle, Lucille Council, Bessie Postell, Mildred Washington and Charlie Mae Wilder; Her Beloved Pastor: Rev. Frank L. Massey; Caregivers: Kathy Brown, LaVelma Carr, Uletha Jennings, Helen Mosley (GiGi), Jocelyn Smith, and Angela McClain; and a host of other loving family members, classmates, colleagues and caring friends.

Tributes

Johnnie Mae Anderson

August 24, 1941 - June 23, 2014