Sallie Mae Johnson

May 9, 1920 - March 14, 2018

Sallie Mae McCray-Johnson was born on May 9, 1920 in Ashford, Alabama to the late Joseph Lewis, Sr. and Bessie Mae Lewis. She was the eldest of ten children. She peacefully departed from this life on March 14, 2018 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland, Florida with loved ones at her bedside. She was 97 years old. Mother Sallie was a member of the Church of Christ where she attended faithfully until her decline in health. She was a "Prayer Warrior" and devoted Christian. She also loved singing; one of her favorite songs was "Jesus Will Fix It". Mother Sallie married at a young age to the love of her life, James McCray Sr., and to this union came eight children. She resided in Oak Grove, Florida 20 years, until the passing of her husband, James, in 1964. Mother Sallie later moved to Wauchula, Florida where she met and married John H. Johnson who was called to be with the Lord in 1985. Mother Sallie was a loving, God-fearing woman that loved God and her family. She truly was our family (Matriarch) and well deserving of the title. Mother Sallie was preceded in death by her sons, James McCray, Bobby McCray, and Clarence McCray, brothers, Joseph Lewis, Henry James Lewis, and Johnny Lewis, sisters, Ora Ben Watson, Evelyn Lewis Recall, and Annie Pearl Lewis, and granddaughter, Dawn McCray. She leaves to cherish her precious memories, one brother, Eugene Lewis, Sr.; two sisters, Bernice White and Juanita Lewis Grantley; two sons, Freddie McCray (Jean) and Jerry McCray; three daughters, Betty Avery (James), Dorothy Mills, and Malinda Peterson; 20 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, 35 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Wauchula at 2:00 P.M. Visitation is at the church from 1:00 PM until service time. Interment is at Magnolia Manor Cemetery. Pastor Freddie McCray will officiate.