Rachel Mable Ferrell Johnson was born October 18, 1932, to Alma Ward and Leeland Ferrell. She went home to God peacefully sleeping at 4:00 A.M. on December 1, 2021, in the loving care of her family. Our mother was a woman that truly loved God. Mother was a dedicated member of Blue Ridge Baptist Church. Mother was part of the Religious Outreach Program for many years. Rachel was a ministry teacher and volunteered her time in the church kitchen for after-service dining.

After meeting her husband, Willie James Johnson, she became a dedicated and cherished member of St Mary’s United Methodist Baptist Church (UMBC). Rachel was a choir member, a proud member of the 55+ program, and many other roles within the St. Mary’s UMBC church organization. Mom never wavered on her service to God. She gave many presentations on Christianity during her life and was a special guest speaker at several churches in the Houston area and a eulogist when requested.

Rachel Johnson was a graduate of Phyllis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas, in June 1951, where she was a drum major for several years, proudly leading the marching band. Mother is remembered by many as the "Marching Manor"!

During our mother's working years, she supervised catering services for Bennie Ferrell Catering Company where she honed her culinary skills by cooking and preparing extravagant meals for many prestigious families. Mother also worked for Hughes Tools Company for several years, at a time many jobs were restricted to men. Barriers did not get in mom’s way. She worked driving forklifts, digging massive construction holes in the ground to lay large pipes, and worked jackhammers to break up concrete. Mother would always say, "Whatever job a man could do, I can do it as well"! 

Our mother was a pillar of inner and physical strength with the beauty created only by God. Her gorgeous smile, along with her stunning and elegant presence, would light up any room. Rachel Mable Ferrell Johnson was a phenomenal mother, wife, sister, friend, aunt, cousin, teacher, prayer warrior, and a dedicated woman of God.

Despite our mother having Alzheimer's, which eventually took her life, she never forgot who GOD was and mentioned daily God's grace and mercy. She would always say, "Just be kind to one another and love as God loves us." Alzheimer caused mom to have some memory loss but she could still remember her favorite gospel hymns, "Precious Lord," "Sooner Will Be Done" by Mahalia Jackson, "Jesus Loves Me," and countless more. If you forgot the words, she could still help you remember them as well! Mother never forgot how good God was to her!

Robbie McAllister, Tyra Ferrell Jackson, Alma Stone, Herbert Randolph, Glenell Randolph-Spann. and Stepdaughter Angela Johnson, Son in-laws: Don Jackson, Michael Spann, and Frankie Stone. 

Rachel was preceded in death by her husband: Willie James Johnson, Mother Alma Ward, Father Leeland Ferrell, Sisters Bennie Lee Ferrell-Berry, and Augustine Marshall, Brother Roderick (Bubee) Ferrell, Son-in-law Lon McAllister, Stepsisters Elizabeth Spates, Marjorie Ross, Helen Adams, Lena Craig and Stepbrother Willie Washington.

Rachel's living grandchildren are Amina Nataki Kamau, Brittany Ridge, Chelsea, and Madison Martel, Ryan, Ricky, and Rachel Bernard, Shonta Ferrell, and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of dear family and friends.

A very special thank you to the health care workers for their love, kindness and professionalism in helping us to care for our dear mother. 

We thank:

Joyce Valencia, Home Instead of Houston, Texas

Carmen Ventura (Private Care).

Elaine Lynn, Yolanda (Yo) Ritter, RN. The Big Ben Hospice Care Center in Florida

Thank you for your professional and compassionate aftercare:

The Richardson's Group Funeral Home in Florida cremation services.

We also thank the many other family and friends who contributed their photos, videos, and voice recordings. 

"We were all honored to have such a beautiful soul as our dear Sister Rachel Johnson to worship and fellowship with. She was a faithful member and made herself available to assist in so many ways. Sister Johnson blessed us as she sang to and for the Lord as a choir member. As the choir's Spiritual Leader, she led the choir in prayer before Sunday worship and practice. She would insist on the choir singing all the verses to hymns, reminding them that it told a whole story. She was admired for being timely and willing to serve in several capacities, including with the Membership Committee and as Spiritual Growth Coordinator of the United Methodist Women. She was one of the original members of 55+ ministries. With her gift of hospitality and as Hospitality Chairperson, she enjoyed cooking and kept a spotless kitchen. Sister Johnson taught others how to serve with a servant's heart. She would say, "always smile, and if someone is offensive - smile anyway." Another lesson that will stay with us is not to stir the green beans when cooking, to shake and push to avoid tearing them.

Sister Johnson provided spiritual guidance to all who reached out to her for wisdom. We never had to second guess what she said or meant because she was straightforward and kept it not only real but biblically sound. As a nurturer, she often provided remedies for our ailments. She also enjoyed sharing memories. She was truly a sound voice of wisdom and will be dearly missed by her St. Mary's United Methodist Church family.

May her lessons of love live on through each of us."

Special thank you to:

Glenell Randolph Spann for writing a loving obituary about our mother. In her final days Mom said, "Glenell, is my hearing aide. She is always with me"

Thank you from our hearts to yours for the many prayers, phone calls, and beautiful cards. We appreciate the condolences extended to our family at this time of sorrow. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and we will keep you in our prayers as well. God bless every one of you that took the time to view Rachel Mable Ferrell Johnson's memorial dedication page.

My mother's philosophy was, " Tie a knot, hold on tight, and never let go! Always hold on to God's unchanging hands!"