Elsie Lavender Johnson

Elsie Lavender Johnson, 90, of Haleyville, formerly of Ethelsville, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at The Meadows in Fulton, Mississippi. 

She was born November 17, 1934 in Steens, Mississippi to Johnny and Mattie Lavender. Elsie was a graduate of Aliceville High School. She was married to Julian Woodrow Johnson on May 17, 1955. She lived out her years as a homemaker, even winning the awards, "Homemaker of the Year" for Pickens County, and "Cattlewoman of the Year." Elsie was a member of the Pine Grove Homemakers Club.  She was an excellent cook, with recipes published in a variety of cookbooks. She was also a member of a quilting club. In her spare time, Elsie loved completing puzzles, playing games, and going fishing. She was also a member of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church. 

Visitation will be Friday, March 28, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Haleyville. Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Nichols Funeral Home in Haleyville, where Elsie will lie-in-state from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Brother Glen Bridgmon and Brother Keith Hood will officiate. A graveside committal service will follow, beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Ethelsville, where Dan Johnson will officiate. 

Elsie is survived by her children, Linda Martin, Danny Johnson (Debbie) and Judy Neely Spencer (Garry); siblings, David Earl Lavender, Sue Young, Faye Driver and Deetriss Edwards (George); grandchildren, Carl Martin Jr., Cherish Carter (Vince), Rachel White (Sam), Lynn Heiple (Jim), Michael Neely (Linsey), David Neely, Bethany Grant (James), Angela Blansett, Melissa Bishop (Chad) and Jason Spencer (Katie); 17 great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Lavender and Mattie Lou Lavender; spouse, Julian Johnson; siblings, Mary Evelyn Rector and Dessie Mae Sangster and granddaughter, Sonya Corviss.


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