ernestine chapman johnson
1929-1967
Life Story
Early Life and Family
Ernestine Chapman Johnson was born on May 3, 1929, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Lillie Mae Sorey Chapman (1900–1994) and Mason Chapman (1885–1964). She was raised in a close-knit Chapman family deeply connected to Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, where multiple generations of her family are laid to rest.
Marriage and Children
Ernestine married Jessie Johnson in Jefferson, Texas on April 15, 1946. From this union, eight children were born:
Daughters:
- Lillie Mae Johnson – Beaumont, Texas
- Agnes Marie Johnson – Beaumont, Texas
- Priscilla Johnson – Newton, Mississippi
Sons:
- William Johnson – Newton, Mississippi
- Robert Johnson – Newton, Mississippi
- Joe Johnson – Newton, Mississippi
- James Johnson – Newton, Mississippi
- Jessie Johnson Jr. – Newton, Mississippi
The residence of her children in both Texas and Mississippi reflects the family’s migration patterns during the mid-twentieth century.
Later Years and Migration
For a period of time, Ernestine resided in Texas, before later relocating to Michigan. At the time of her death, she had been living in Saginaw, Michigan, for approximately two months.
Death and Burial
Ernestine Chapman Johnson passed away on August 26, 1967, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan, at the age of 38. Funeral arrangements were handled by Evans Memorial Chapel. She was returned to Mississippi and laid to rest at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church graveyard in Newton County.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- The Saginaw News, Ernestine Johnson Obituary, Mon, Aug 28, 1967 ·Page 25
- Texas, U.S., Birth Index, 1903-1997
- Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019
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