Darlene Johnson was born on Sunday, October 9, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan to Ernest and Betty Lipsey. Growing up in a large, loving family, she was a natural born leader among her siblings and a highly self-motivated person. At the age of eight she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at her family’s church home, New Jerusalem Baptist Church. God blessed her with the gifts of hospitality, generosity, and encouragement.
Darlene attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Detroit Cooley High. After graduating high school, she began taking classes while working a number of years as an auto insurance claim agent. She continuously pursued her collegiate education, and later graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
On September 2, 1989, Darlene was united in holy matrimony to Gil Johnson and they worked together as one in both love and business. Alongside her husband, she owned and operated successful auto dealerships and traveled around the world for business trips and family vacations. This union was blessed with two children and Darlene took on the role of a homemaker for their family. She enjoyed baking delicious sugar cookies, fudge brownies, and gourmet-like cakes. Also, she enjoyed hosting holiday parties, BBQs, picnics and spending time with her family.
Darlene was known for her humble and hard-working personality. She was a fitness enthusiast and an instructor at Sarah Fechter Fitness Studio in Saginaw. She ran many marathons and participated in a physical physique competition where she won second place. All of her family and friends knew her for her helpful fitness advice and encouraging words. While living in Saginaw she joined Zion Missionary Baptist Church and became a faithful member of the Usher Ministry. Her favorite scripture was James 4:10. “Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
In 2019, Darlene moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to begin a joyful life of retirement. On Wednesday June 24, 2020, her assignment here on earth ended and she was called home to be with God in Heaven.
To carry on her memory she leaves her husband of thirty years, Gilbert Steven Johnson; two children, Dayshia and Daniel Johnson; three stepchildren, Dante’(Crystal) Johnson, Danielle (Damon) Hurst, Darren Johnson; four grandchildren, Cam’Ron Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Kayla Hurst, Kamryn Hurst; eight siblings, Cindy (Rev. Vastine Jr.) Watson, Ernest Jr. (Leona) Lipsey, Debra Lipsey, Betty (Rev. Valiant Sr.) Lyte, Margaret Lipsey-Earl, Phyllis Lipsey, Aaron (Frankie) Lipsey, Stacey (April) Lipsey; brother-in-law, James Johnson Jr.; twenty one nieces and nephews; many cousins, other relatives and friends.
Darlene touched the lives of so many people… We will miss you… “Our Sweet Angel”.
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