Staff Reports
Jefferson has a new centenarian. The Rev. Grace L. Johnson celebrated her 100th birthday last Saturday surrounded by family.
When asked what it felt like to be 100, Rev. Johnson said. “I feel wonderful.”
She was born on August 24, 1924, in Trees City, La. She moved to Houston at a young age and became a bus driver for Houston ISD for 17 years. She delighted in her job due to her love of helping others and working with children.
She was appointed as a Pastor by the office of Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church on Nov. 11, 1966. She pastored churches in the Houston area for many years and eventually settled in LaGrange, Texas, where she served as pastor at Emmanuel Methodist Church and later St. James united Methodist Church until she retired after 50 years of ministerial service.
Mrs. Johnson volunteered at several hospitals throughout the Houston area working in the children’s ward; helped care for the sick and shut-ins; volunteered at the police academy and Fayette County Memorial Hospital in LaGrange; nominated for the 2003 Outstanding Senior Citizens Award in Fayette County by the County Commission on Aging; was the AARP Chapter 2317 vice president; and attended Southern Methodist Episcopal Conference annually for many years.
Her passion was, and is, to help those in need. She often says, “God can’t bless me if my cup is always full” Her devotion and love for God is evident in the long life she has been blessed to live. Mrs. Johnson had one adopted daughter and six siblings who have all passed away. She moved back to East Texas over a year ago to live with her niece in Smithland, where she is surrounded by a host of relatives and friends.