Delores Johnson
Saint Louis |
Delores Opal Johnson of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away the morning of Wednesday, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones, at the age of 90.
“Dodie” as she was affectionately called was born in Brooklyn (Lovejoy), Illinois on January 18, 1934, to the union of John Johnson and Maude Hutchinson-Johnson. She was the second child of this union, her brother “John Jr.” proceeded her in death at an early age. She was blessed with one daughter, Carolyn Johnson.
Delores attended Lovejoy School District #188, she graduated high school in 1950 and continued her education at Mildred Louise Business College. After graduating business college, she went to work for the Internal Revenue Service. She then moved to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana where she lived for four years while working for the U.S. government. She returned to Lovejoy, IL and began employment in Belleville, IL at the Circuit Clerks Office working there for several years until moving on to work at the East Side Health District for 23 years until her retirement in 1996. Since 1996, she spent time doing the things she loved that brought her great pleasure. She experienced the births of great grandchildren, helped to raise, and instill great morals and values in them. She stood on family, hard work, independence, education, and to always love one another.
Delores was such a classy, elegant, tasteful, and stylish woman, who had an amazing personality with the most beautiful smile. She was a member of New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO. A longtime member of the Elk Lodge, member of the Lovejoy Alumni Association and the Corvette Club. She was known to stay up late watching baseball and basketball games as she was a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. She enjoyed watching Gunsmoke or Old Western movies while enjoying her sweets and chips, or perhaps a Courvoisier Cognac with a twist of lemon! She would sleep in until the following afternoon just before The Price is Right, and her “stories”-The Bold & Beautiful and The Young & The Restless were coming on. She loved driving Corvettes, especially red ones, dancing, singing, listening to records, and playing Spades or 1500 and spending time with family. Throughout her lifetime, she made many friends and acquaintances. She had a special place in her heart and life for her friends, many of whom will be waiting at the pearly gates to greet her.
She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (Joseph “J.W.”) Smith of Madison, IL; three granddaughters, Ticarol (Charles Elliott) Smith of Maryville, IL, Brandy Fletcher of St. Louis, MO., and Candace (John Thomas) Fletcher of Normal, IL, two bonus grandsons, Brandon Fletcher of Nashville, TN and Bertrand Fletcher, who proceeded her in death; three great grandchildren, Thomas Hills II, Taylin Hills and Jersie Thomas; four special friends, Emma Hamilton of New Jersey, William English of Minnesota, George McShan and Jewel Wells both of St. Louis, MO; other extended family and a host of many friends. Dodie mastered life and was well received by everyone who had the opportunity to grace her presence. She leaves behind a great legacy.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City, IL on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. until time of a funeral service at 1 p.m. with Angelia Riley Gower officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens of Memory in Millstadt, Illinois. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. Online condolences may be accepted at www.irwinchapel.com.
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home
