Pattie Johnson

Pattie Stovall Johnson

Pattie (Stovall) Johnson (also known as Mama/Mommie to her daughters), 90, of South Bend, IN quietly passed away Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at her residence. Formerly of Anderson, IN, she had been a resident of South Bend, IN for the past 68 years. She was born July 14th, 1932, in Cotton Plant, AR, the youngest daughter of the late Cicero and Pattie (Sprawling) Stovall. Her marriage to Virgil Johnson on October 16th, 1955, brought her to South Bend, IN. Soon after, daughters were born to this union.

Anyone who met Pattie quickly discovered that she was a Woman of Faith. Having been baptized at the age of 14 in Cotton Plant, AR at Trice Baptist Church, she believed that the actions of a Christian were better than any words. She had been a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church and Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church before joining Progressive Missionary Baptist Church (South Bend). Even though she was no longer able to attend services regularly in recent years, Pattie stayed connected to her Pastor and members through regular calls and the many cards she sent out. That was her way of showing love to those that crossed her path. She continued her charitable ministry through the contributions she provided to WUBS (her favorite gospel radio station), St. Jude Hospital for Children and Hope Ministries. Volunteering in the community was also important to her and she did this through Real Services as a Foster Grandparent and being a visiting nurse.

She was also known for being a great cook, baker, and a wearer of some beautiful hats! Those cakes, special short ribs and sweet potato casserole will be missed, but she passed on those recipes to her daughters! Most every summer, her front porch would be surrounded by hanging baskets of flowers, watered, and cared for until the season ended. And, if you ever entered her home, it would be no surprise to hear gospel music playing or to catch a whiff of her favorite cologne, White Diamonds.

Pattie leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Vanita Lynn Johnson (South Bend, IN), Colleen Johnson (Indianapolis, IN), Maureen Johnson (South Bend, IN), LoRita Johnson (Mishawaka, IN) and LaVelle Denise Johnson (Smyrna, GA). She also loved and was so loved by her many nieces and nephews –Nora Hutchinson, Nathaniel Stovall, Raymel Chambers, Maye Mathis, Louise Mathis Lewis, Patsy Mathis, Bettie Stagg, Ruby Torme, Claudean Mathis, Robert Mathis, Sharon Mathis, Marcus Mathis, Anthony Mathis, Dwight Mathis, Sandar Mathis, Marjorie Mathis, Joyce Mathis, Patricia Ann Isom, Coleius Smith, Darlene Ivy Jones, Theopolis (TJ) Smith, Jr., Plexico Weathersbee, Jr., Ramon Weathersbee, Mark Weathersbee, Donna (DeeDee) King, and Greg Stovall, brothers-in-law, Plexico Weathersbee and Theopolis Smith, her sister-in-law, Iretha Stovall and her great nephew, JR Martin.  Her special friends include Louise Brown, Mary Smith, and Juella J. Smith-Butts. She gained a spiritual son and daughter in Chris and Wanda Dudley, plus a newly adopted son-in-love, Quinten Gresham III.  Pattie will also be fondly remembered as Mother J by James and Linda Laskowski.

Pattie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers Raymond Stovall, Eddie Stovall and her sisters Rosie Mae Mathis, Marjorie Smith, Annabelle Weathersbee, her brother-in-law James Mathis, Sr.,   sister-in-love Oraphine Stovall, nephews James Mathis, Jr., Raymond Stovall Jr., Curtis Stovall Sr., Samuel Stovall, and nieces Barbara Jenkins, Dorothy Stovall and Oleta McClurkin.

She was the last of her siblings and was welcomed back home with open arms by her family and Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Rest well in heaven, Pattie! Save a place for us at that Great Banquet Table until we all are united again at that appointed time.

Her funeral services will be held Saturday, May 13th, 2023, at Progressive Baptist Church, Pastor Barry Spencer, officiating. The visitation is at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery followed by a repass at the church.

Alford’s Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit their    website and sign the guest book at www.alfordsmortuaryinc.com.

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