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Obituary For Mrs. Rodessa Todd Johnson
Mrs. Rodessa Todd Johnson, a resident of Lanett, AL, and former resident of LaFayette, AL, died Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Emory Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta, GA.
Celebration of Life Services are scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. (EST) from Mt Hermon Baptist Church, 1601 Magnolia Road, Lanett, AL.
Interment will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, 2167 22nd Street SW, Lanett, AL. Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley directing.
Public Viewing is scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2025 beginning at 10:00 A.M. (EST) until funeral hour.
Mrs. Rodessa Todd Johnson, Lanett, AL (formerly of Lafayette, AL) joined the ancestral choir in Heaven on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Our Angel came from Heaven on October 18, 1939, to the parental stewardship of the late Oscar Lee Todd and the late Pennsylvania Sims Ferguson (aka Miss Pensy). She was married to the late Joseph Johnson for 47 years. Heaven's welcome party also included her sisters, Clyde Carr and Ella Pearl Williams, and brothers Kniphus and Cecil Todd.
Our Grandmother, Ms. Pensy, was a praying grandmother who reared her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord; in other words, they went to church from sunrise to sunset, and Lord, Momma carried on the tradition. Sundays were for God and His church; nothing else mattered. We were taught to love God and worship Him only. Angela and I stayed in church. Period! And we are all the more blessed because of it. We got it from our Momma.
Momma was a devoted member of New Mt. Sellers Baptist Church, where she faithfully served under the leadership of Rev. O. D. Hill until she moved to Lanett, where she quickly connected with Mount Hermon Baptist Church, serving under the leadership of the late Rev. Louis Upshaw and Rev. Dr. Lamar D. Johnson. Momma never missed a Sunday until her health began to decline. Even then, we found ways for her to listen to her Pastor, her Daughter, or Dr. Eric W. Lee preach. She was not very fond of technology. One Sunday afternoon, I was visiting and gave her my iPad to watch her service online, but she accidentally touched an app, and TLC popped up singing “Creep.” Momma yelled, “Come here and get this thing!” and refused to touch it again. EVER!
Momma was a quiet, reserved soul who could bring a gut-wrenching laugh out of us in the spur of the moment. Growing up, Saturday mornings were for cleaning EVERYTHING! Only when the house was cleaned could we go outside to play. We loved Saturdays because Momma would sing to the Lord all day, especially while she was cooking Sunday dinner. We fondly remember her saying, “Don’t go in my kitchen without washing your hands.” And she meant that. It was like she had bionic hearing.
Momma leaves in the light of her life, her love, and her legacy, two devoted daughters, Rev. Dr. Billie Boyd-Cox and Mrs. Angela Shears (Donta); her four favorite grandchildren, Jendayia Todd (Travis), Trimecia Quarles (Tyrone), Remondre Boyd (Erin), and Adonta Shears; thirteen great-grandchildren who were the treasures of her heart, Keavis Sands, Dylan Pressley, Peyton Williams, Taylor Boyd, Jasmine Boyd, Jordon Todd, Kaylee Pressley, Moriyah Boyd, Kennedy Boyd, Josiah Boyd, Kendal Pressley, Chandler Baccus, and Kinsley Baccus; the newest additions to her legacy are her great-great-grandchildren Aubree, Neveah, Grayson, Ryleigh, and Alani. Momma would be “hotter than fish grease” if we didn’t include her Bonus Family: Thomas, Michael, Carson, Joe, and Karen Hill and Quenda Deon Moore, whom she loved dearly. We would also be remiss if we didn’t mention her “Church Buddy,” Deacon Jamie Heard, and her friend Dr. Eric Hubbard.
She also leaves her precious “one call that’s all” nephew Clifford Todd (Ethel) and niece Annie Carwell; two brothers-in-law, Horace E. Johnson and Joe Lee Johnson; three sisters-in-law, Patricia Johnson, Magarine Johnson, and Patricia Ann Smith; special friends, Deacon Charlie Woody, Ann Bummer, Bettye Craig, Annette Nelloms, Lemuel Cox, and Cynthia Barrow; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Funeral Services by Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley, AL.
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It is said it takes a village to raise a child. Dessa was a big part of our village. She cared for our boys as if they were family. She made them go out and find their own switch when they needed discipline. She was always loving to them when they needed loving. They loved her and introduced their children to her as well. She always remembered to call them on their birthdays and anniversaries. It was always a joke in our family to ask if they beat Dessa to the call. Karen and I owe a lot of gratitude to Dessa for helping us raise some great sons. We will deeply miss her and may God forever protect her in heaven.
Sending my condolences to the family Ms Rodessa was a good neighbor and a wonderful person to know
Sending prayers and condolences to the family during this difficult time of grief. May God comfort and strengthen you all. Chris and Deidra Williams
Angela, I am so saddened to hear about "My Friend's" passing. Thank you so much for letting me know. You know how she and I was when we saw each other. "My Friend" as I affectionately called her was one of the most sweetest, most beautiful inside and out soft spoken persons I've ever known. I will truly miss seeing her on this side, but looking forward to seeing her sweet face on the other side. Praying for the family. REST WELL "MY SWEET SWEET FRIEND"
Granny I'm not ok but God knew you needed your rest. I'm thankful for 45 years of loving you and will miss you so much. I love you Granny!! Take your rest beautiful!
