WILLIE JOHNSON

Willie Mae Johnson was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Willie Vernisha (Bowie) Tyson on March 27, 1941, in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by three siblings: Artis Tyson, Ernest Lee Tyson, and Marshall Tyson. She is survived by her daughter Yolanda Jones of Rowlett, Texas, her granddaughter Brittany Williams of Mesquite, Texas, and great-grandson Davian Flores of Mesquite, Texas. Eight siblings survive her: Arthur Douglas Tyson of Los Angeles, California; Sebon Ray Tyson of Los Angeles, California; Bobbie Jean Marine of Sherman, Texas; Willie James Tyson of Moreno Valley, California; Evelyn Hawkins (spouse, Horace) of Oak Point, Texas; Shirley Ann Smith (spouse, Tracy) of Wylie, Texas; Lee Vernia Tyson of Garland, Texas; and Aquilla Oyelakin (spouse, Amos) of Dallas, Texas.

Willie Mae was a graduate of Burnett High School in Terrell, Texas, and El Camino College in Torrance, California. She was a dedicated, hard-working employee of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation (now The Boeing Company) for thirty-three years. She worked as an Electrician, Business Unit Manager, and Electrical Engineer on both commercial and C-17 military aircraft. Her tenure there allowed her to showcase her technical talents and ability to lead others. While working with many other talented individuals, many of her co-worker relationships ultimately evolved into life-long cherished friendships.

Willie Mae left Texas in her early twenties in search of opportunities and a better life in California. Four of her brothers (Arthur, Marshall, Sebon, and Willie James) followed her there, each settling nearby to be close to their sister. She settled in Inglewood, California, where she eventually met and married Thomas Jones and from that union Yolanda Jones was born. After the dissolution of that marriage several years later, she continued to expand her life in the Los Angeles area (and later in Moreno Valley, California) with her friends, family, and church family.

Willie Mae was an outgoing person who gave herself fully to her friendships and social endeavors. When she wasn’t working, at church, or with family, she enjoyed exploring the sights and sounds of California from the San Francisco bay area to San Diego. She would often do things like setting out on a scenic drive with her daughter after church to have Sunday dinner at a new restaurant she wanted to try. She always sought out new experiences and environments.

Once the time drew near for her to retire from The Boeing Company, she decided to move back to Texas to be close to and help care for her aging parents. She loved her parents dearly and fully embraced her life with them during their sunset years.

Willie Mae found love again after returning to the Dallas metroplex. She rekindled a friendship with an old family friend that eventually developed into love. She married Virgie Johnson in 2007. Virgie and Willie Mae shared their passion for church, family, long drives, and the retired life until his death in 2010.

Unfortunately, Willie Mae started exhibiting pronounced signs of Alzheimer’s disease not long after the passing of Virgie. Her family coalesced around her to support her and care for her as her life changed and the symptoms became increasingly severe.

She was able to transition peacefully from this earthly realm in a loving and caring environment with her daughter by her side on the evening of July 16, 2020.

Willie Mae was known for her warm and generous spirit, vivacity, and lively sense of humor. She personified a life well-lived with purpose, dignity, humanity, character, and grace. To know her was to love her.