Effie Mae (Ruffin) Johnson

Effie Mae Johnson, a God fearing woman full of elegance and grace was born in Riderwood, Alabama on December 12, 1925 to the late Penton and Easter Ruffin.  She was the 7th child of 12 children.

Effie Mae birth name was Inzell Ruffin but due to the number of female relatives with the same name, she decided she wanted to be lovingly known as Effie Mae, signifying her individuality, strong will and confidence.   Effie Mae completed her education at the Choctaw County Training School in Lisman, Alabama.  Effie Mae accepted Christ at an early age and she faithfully served as an Usher, Sunday school teacher and soloist at the Wahalak Missionary Baptist Church.  Effie Mae relocated her membership to the Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Elder Wiggins.  In 2018, she resume her membership at Wahalak where she served faithfully on the mother’s board until her health declined.

In 1943, Effie Mae married the love of her life Lethel Johnson and to that union they were blessed with 10 children.  As a wife she was submissive and understood and respected the leadership role of her husband.

As a young woman Effie Mae learned the power of salvation and praise.  She was a wise woman who built her house on a strong foundation, which was Christ.  According to Deuteronomy 6:7 And Thou shall teach thy children, when thou sitteth in thou house, when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down and when thou riseth up.  She would have her children by her bedside and she would have praise and worship service.  She shared with her children and grandchildren the greatest gift-Salvation.  She instilled in her children the power of prayer.  She was passionate and discipline regarding God’s word and she had a strong desire to ensure her living was meeting God’s expectation.

As a mother, Effie Mae was nurturing, supportive and had unconditional love for her family.  She was non-judgmental and did not engage in speaking ill of anyone.  She was attentive to her children and spent countless hours building a solid foundation that can never be broken.  She was a great cook and enjoyed preparing full course meals daily for her family.  She enjoyed going to church, singing, quilting and being a mother of the church.  She taught her daughters the essence of beauty inside and out.  She loved to dress well and wore a hat to compliment every outfits.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lethel Johnson.  Her sons, Edward Johnson, Ronnie Johnson and Grady Webster.  Her grandsons, Grady Webster, Jr., and Micheal Chaney.  Her great grandson, Carlos Clark.  Her siblings, Abbie, Febbie, Fannie, Francis, Clarice, Adelaine, Corrine, James, Fred and Josh.

She is survived by 9 daughters and 3 sons;  Joan Chaney, Ft. Myers, FL; Lillie (Edgar) Williams, Cleveland, Ohio; Effie Johnson, Tampa FL; Pastor Levon (Jessie) Johnson, Detroit, MI; Sandra (Calvin) Hall, Detroit, MI; Perry (Sherri) Johnson, Detroit, MI; Runell (Tommy) May, Lisman, Alabama; Geraldine (Anthony) Hayes, Detroit, MI; Pastor Rufus (Doris) Hayes, Detroit, MI.  Her sister, Velma Collins, Lawrence, Indiana; 63 grandchildren, 172, great grands, 48 great, great grandchildren.  Patricia Crosby and Jeanette Deloach, her caregivers, who pampered her.  The Legacy Hospice Care team.  Many loving and supportive nieces and nephews and one endearing niece, Varnell Craig.  The Wahalak Missionary Baptist Church family, The Principles of Faith Church family and the Word of Truth Church family of Detroit, MI.