Barbara Jean Johnson

January 30, 1951 ~ March 19, 2023 (age 72)

Barbara Jean Johnson passed away peacefully at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana on Sunday, March 19th, 2023. She was born on January 30, 1951 in Tupelo, MS to the late Robert and Emma (Ivy) Gunn. Barbara moved to South Bend, Indiana with her parents when she was a small child. She met the love of her life, the late Charles Edward Johnson, Sr., at the age of 16 and was later united in marriage with him at the age of 18 on November 15, 1969, until Charles departed on August 26, 2021.

Barbara graduated from Washington High School of South Bend, Indiana in 1969. After graduating she was employed by Indiana Bell (AT&T) and was affectionately known in the South Bend downtown AT&T office as the sharpest teller on the front line. She later worked for Ameritech in the warehouse. After 38 years, she retired from Ameritech. Barbara was a proud member of the Bethlehem House of Bread Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Dennis R Giden, Sr. She held such offices as President of the Bishop’s Aide and President of the Building Fund.

Barbara is survived by a son, Charles Edward (Michelle) Johnson Jr. of Louisville, Kentucky; one daughter, Rochelle Renee Johnson of South Bend, Indiana; two brothers, Richard Gunn of South Bend, Indiana and Tommy Gunn of South Bend, Indiana; three sisters, Loretta (Dennis) Giden and Linda (Fred) Sutherland of South Bend, Indiana, JoAnne (Hunter) Moody of Ft. Myers, Florida; one brother-in-law, Larry (Jackie) Johnson of South Bend, Indiana; six sister-n-laws, Lois (Richard) Whitlow of Sacramento, California, Carolyn Gardner of Louisville, Kentucky, Martha (Eli) Murrell of Radcliff, Kentucky, Dorothy Acklin, and Patricia Frazier of Louisville, Kentucky, and Yvette Johnson of Louisville, Kentucky; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward Johnson, Sr; her parents, Robert and Emma Gunn; her Mother and Father-in-law, Hershel and Ann Lee Johnson; three sisters-in-law, Catherine Lowery, Ann (Cookie) Garner, Pamela Roberts; two brothers-in-law, Elder Grover Johnson and Hershel Johnson, Jr.; and her great niece Shila Parker.

Barbara fought a good fight and will truly be missed by all of her family, especially her children, siblings, and many nieces and nephews who she loved to spoil!

Services for Mrs. Johnson will he held on Saturday March 25, 2023; 4 P.M at Bethlehem House of Bread, 1709 Fulkerson Road, Niles, Michigan 49120. Bishop Dennis Giden will bring the word. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior. Burial will be held on Monday March 27, 2023 at Highland Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted with Alford’s Mortuary Inc. 

01/31/2025 DEC

https://www.alfordsmortuaryinc.com/obituary/Barbara-Jean-Johnson