Melvilan L. Johnson

Mother Melvilan Lenora Johnson, affectionately known as “Mel," was born September 13, 1932,in Miami, Florida. She was the second eldest of six children, blessed to the union of Miller and Leanner Lamb. Melvilan graduated from Dorsey High School, Miami, Florida, in June 1949. She was united in marriage to the late Eugene Johnson on November 5, 1950, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. To this union, nine children were born, six girls and three boys. She accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. Melvilan attended Lindsey Hopkins Technical College, Miami, Florida, where she obtained a professional administrative certificate (PAC). Melvilan went on to pursue a career with the State of Florida. She was employed with the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS) and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Melvilan retired June 28, 1996, with twenty-nine (29) years of dedicated service to the State of Florida. The family left Miami and relocated to Central Florida (Tavares) in 1971. Later, they united with and became members of Friendship CME Church in Tavares, Florida, under the leadership of the late Fredrick Douglass Lewis. The Family relocated to Orlando, Florida, and then united with Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in April 2000, under the leadership of Reverend Clarence R. Taylor, Pastor. Mother Melvilan was a dedicated woman of faith. She was a prayer warrior who loved the Lord and set an example for all of her children to follow. Her dedication, humility, and servant-heartedness were a powerful force in the lives of everyone who knew her. She did not sing in the choir or physically stand at the door ton usher, however, she was a spiritual advisor to the Usher Ministry and a supporter of the Bethlehem Male Chorus. She would often say "I came to hear the word, good singing, and to worship and praise the Lord!” Mother Melvilan was loved by many and loved by all. She had a very special love for her entire family. She was and will always be the matriarch of the "Johnson Family". She enjoyed crossword puzzles, cruising, jeopardy, pokeno, the Bethlehem Family, and most of all, her family! On April 12, 2025, God saw fit to call his most precious angel home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Miller and Leanner Lamb, husband, Eugene Johnson, three brothers, Clarence, Jimmie Lee, and Bobbie Lamb; two sisters, Roberta Lamb and Bettye Murrell; and one son, David Johnson. She leaves to cherish her precious memories with her loving family; Cassandra Johnson of Orlando, Florida, Eugene Johnson (Alfreda) of Union City, Georgia; Beverly Smith (Charles), Sharron Beauford (John) Jackie Smith (Kenneth), all of Orlando, Florida, Patrice Riley (Billy) of Winter Garden, Florida, Gregory Johnson (Charlene) and Pamela Watson (Johnnie), all of Orlando, Florida; sisters-in-law, Ronda Lamb, and Daisy Johnson, both of Miami, Florida, and Maxine Munroe of Nassau, Bahamas; brother-in-law, Elden Johnson, Miami; twenty-nine grandchildren; eighty-four great grandchildren and fifty-three great great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and a host of many saddened friends.

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Melvilan L. Johnson

September 13, 1932 - April 12, 2025