Obituary of Dr. Alberta Johnson

Dr. Alberta (Nana) Johnson passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in Spring, Texas surrounded by family. Dr. Johnson was born on April 6th, 1926 in Newark, New Jersey.  She is one of eleven children born to the late James William Oscar Smith & Aremilla M Vickers-Smith. She was married to the late Elmer Thomas Johnson on October 16, 1945 in Elkton, Maryland.  They were married 49 years before “Elmer T” went on to glory on December 11, 1994.  From this union were born 4 beautiful children, one granddaughter, two grandsons, 1 great-grandson, 3 great-granddaughters, 2 wonderful sons-in-law and a grand-son-in-law.

Although she worked thirty years as a caterer, she clearly heard the voice of God call her to a life of ministry. In 1971, she received her first credentials in ministry and six years later, she established and founded St. James Bible Deliverance Evangelistic Association in June of 1977. There she impacted hundreds of men, women, and children. She taught a life changing Word that sustained, healed, encouraged, and edified many families. She embraced everyone as her own and created a church family like none other.

Dr. Johnson’s educational career began at Bordentown Manual Training School in Trenton, New Jersey. She later attended Egg Harbor City High School but received her GED from Bridgeton High School. With a desire to further her biblical studies and live by 2 Timothy 2:15, (Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth), she was accepted into Jamison College and Oral Roberts University. She received her Doctor of Divinity degree in 1995 and her Doctor of Theology degree in 1997. At the awesome age of 71, she graduated as Valedictorian out of a class of 1100 theology students.

Dr. Alberta (Nana) Johnson was predeceased by her husband, Elmer T. Johnson; son, Elmer T. (Tinker) Johnson Jr.; her parents, James W.O. Smith and Aremilla (Vickers) Smith; and her siblings, Lester Smith, Hassie (Richard) Wood, Thomas (Booster) Smith, Samuel (Marion) Smith, Grover Smith, William (Bill) & (Mollie) Smith, James W. O. Smith Jr., and Lawrence (Bessie) Smith.

She leaves to cherish her three beautiful children: Princoais “Princey” Lewis of Bridgeton, NJ, Bertha “Peachie” M. Bedford of Millville, NJ and Patricia “Patti” A. (Arthur) Bell of Spring, Texas, Earl “Tank” (Lotty) Johnson of Galloway, NJ, and Jimmy (Tina) Cunningham; granddaughter, Apostle Robbin B. Hargrove ( John E. Hargrove III) of Northfield NJ, grandchildren: Christopher Cunningham, Drey Johnson-Smith, and Elijah Johnson-Smith; great-grandchildren, Zinia Hargrove, John Earl “BigMan” Hargrove IV, Danajha Bell, and Myriah Bell; sister, Estella (Reuben) Feagins; brother, Daniel (EveLee) Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Dr. Alberta Johnson has left a lasting legacy that continues to grow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given in the name of Dr. Alberta Johnson to AHeart Ministries, at AHEARTMinistries.org