Rosie Lee Johnson

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Rosie Lee Johnson was born in 1932 in Fordyce, Arkansas, to the late Lee and Marie Junior. She was the eldest of four children and took pride in her role as big sister. In 1942, the family relocated to Arizona, where Rosie would spend most of her life.

Rosie attended Booker T. Washington School and later George Washington Carver High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Her education and experiences there helped shape the strong, compassionate, and hardworking woman she became.

While living in Phoenix, Rosie met the love of her life, Ernest Johnson, whom she later married in 1950. From this union, seven children were born: four sons, Ervin Johnson, Gary Johnson, Keith Johnson, and Chris Johnson; and three daughters, Ernestine Mitchell, Cynthia Barlow of Arizona, and Lillian Woods of Nevada.

Rosie enjoyed family, music, dance, church, and playing dominos. She loved to travel and, in 2006, she took the trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land in Jerusalem. Rosie joined Grace Temple COGIC under Pastors Griffin, Day, and Spencer, where she faithfully served in the Hospitality Department alongside Aunt Hattie Colbert. She later moved to Higher Ground COGIC to be with her family under Pastor Ernest Fitzhugh, Sr.

Rosie was employed at the courthouse downtown, where she served her community with diligence and integrity. In addition, she worked in various roles as a domestic engineer, providing care, structure, and support both inside and outside her home.

Above all, Rosie was devoted to her family. As a mother, grandmother, and great‑grandmother, she witnessed generations grow, celebrated countless milestones, and left behind a legacy that will continue to grow through all of us. Her strength, resilience, and unconditional love are the gifts we will cherish forever.

Rosie was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Johnson; her mother, Marie Kirksey (“Dazzle”); her father, Lee Junior; two sons, Ervin Johnson and Gary Johnson; one brother, Billy Junior; and grand and great-grandchildren Jodie Rose, Tajikeem, Daniesha, Londie, Jermaine, Chris, Malaya, and Jodie Ma.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons Keith Johnson and Chris Johnson; her daughters Ernestine Mitchell, Cynthia Barlow of Arizona, and Lillian Woods of Nevada; 25 grandchildren; 121 great‑great‑grandchildren; her God‑children William Thomas and Felicia Grey; one sister, Rose Nelson; one brother, Roy Junior; special niece Vanessa Hill and nephew Kevin Junior; favorite cousin Thomas Anderson and a host of other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.

Rosie Lee Johnson’s life was a testament to perseverance, faith, and love. Her legacy lives on through her children, her family, and the many lives she touched along the way.

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