Linda Johnson (Lansing)

Mrs. Linda Marie (Eaton) Johnson was greeted by one of God’s Angels to escort her to her Heavenly Home in Glory on Thursday, April 9, 2020. She transitioned while relaxing at home in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Losing her is our loss but Heaven’s gain. Age 67 years. Linda was born on a lovely Saturday, November 15, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the union of Herschel and Marion Marie (Harvey) Eaton; thus, joining her two older brothers. Shortly after Linda was born, her biological father succumbed to death, as a result of medical issues. Marion was later joined in Holy Matrimony to Jesse E. Jones, the only father she had known. To this union was born Linda’s 9 additional younger siblings; thus, making her the oldest Sister and overseer of the Jones Clan. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal LORD and Savior at a very young age while attending Galilee Baptist Church (GBC) of Lansing, Michigan under the leadership of the illustrious Reverend Charles Tolbert. She faithfully sang in the GBC Choir with gladness. Linda attended Sexton High School where she met the love of her life and husband of over 49 years. Linda and Roger D. Johnson of Lansing, Michigan were joined as one in Holy Matrimony on October 17, 1070 and from their union came three sons, Roger, Jr., Ryan and Marcus. Linda was an awesome wife and a Virtuous Woman of God, as well as a nurturing and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She would go to the moon and back for her husband and their three sons because they were the loves of her life. Additionally, Linda was a praying woman, a woman of great faith and an honorary Bible Student, as well as a true worshipper since her childhood. After marriage, she and her husband relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan where they became dedicated members of Galilee Baptist Church of Kalamazoo. Linda served as one of the administrators to the former pastor, Reverend Mabry Gardner and she served as First Lady Mary Jane Gardner’s Armor Bearer. Also, during Linda’s tenure at GBC Kalamazoo, she served in the capacity of Youth Minister, which through her divinely inspired leadership the ministry experienced exponential growth and change from 1981 to 1986. She was later elevated to the Mother’s Board, as well as fulfilling the duties as Honorable Deacon Johnson’s wife.

One of Linda’s greatest desires and accomplishments came to fruition when she graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1971. By being the firs sibling to graduate from high school, it was revered as a great accomplishment. She shared that she pressed her way to graduate in order to be an example for her younger siblings to follow, and that she was. Big Sister Linda instrumentally helped with rearing the Jones Clan. She devotedly taught her younger siblings how to pray, study the Bible, and to Praise and Worship Jesus as the True and Living only Wise God! Regardless of he good, bad and the ugly she encountered as the overseer of the household with 11 siblings, Linda affectionately loved them all. She was committed to helping each one of them from the oldest to the youngest succeed in life. Linda would make the ultimate sacrifices to unselfishly help her family members in various ways to assure advancement. Linda was very tenacious and protective of her siblings; and she would fight for them to the very end. She felt that only she deserved the right to talk about them, but you dare not because no one else could. Additionally, during her elementary school days, she had always aspired to be a nurse, but her teacher told her that she could only be a maid cleaning houses. It hurt her but it did not stop her from pursuing her dreams. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She worked in the nursing field in both the public and private sectors for well over twenty-five years until she recently retired after the passing of her dearly beloved brother-in-law, Mr. Levi Johnson, as one of his primary caregivers.

She leaves to cherish and celebrate her precious memories, her loving husband of over 49 years, Roger D. Johnson, Sr.; three sons, Roger, Jr., Battle Creek, Michigan, Ryan, Kalamazoo, Michigan and Marcus, Lansing, Michigan; four grandchildren, Augere and Asondray, Detroit, Michigan, Ahmad and R’rion, Kalamazoo, Michigan; great-granddaughter, Khalani, Detroit, Michigan; 10 brothers and sisters, Herschel Eaton, Lansing, Michigan, John (Carolyn) Jones, Grand Ledge, Michigan, Carmen Jones, Portage, Michigan, Eldwin Jones, Lansing, Michigan, Jesse (Sharon) Jones, III, Atlanta, Georgia, sister and best friend, Gloria Pearl Jones, Dimondale, Michigan, Kenneth Jones, Chicago, Illinois, Michael (Judy) Jones, Franklin, Kentucky, Bruce (Nichole) Jones, Benton Harbor, Michigan and Debra Jones, Lansing, Michigan; aunts and uncles, Joyce Galloway, Birmingham, Alabama, Leonard (Lucille) Jones, Lansing, Michigan; 10 godchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family including the Houston Family, other relatives and friends including her ride and die special friend, Marcella Willis.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Marion Marie Jones and Jesse Jones, II; father, Herschel Eaton, Sr.; fraternal grandmother, Lilly Williams Eaton; fraternal grandparents, Jesse Jones, I and Carrie Pearl Jones; maternal grandmother, Maggie Conard; brother, Garland Eaton; aunt, Jessie Lee Foreman and uncle, Cecil Harvey.