Jo Ann Thompson-Johnson

Jo Ann (Ninny) Johnson was born to the parental stewardship of Eva Clyde Sanders and Howard Lewis on December 13, 1946, in Giddings, Texas. Here she was reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord as the youngest of seven sisters and two brothers. Here she attended and completed her formal education in the public schools. It was also here that her decision to settle her eternal destiny beyond her earthly tenure was inspired. The establishment, growth, and development of her Christian convictions began at Saint Paul Baptist Church in Giddings, Texas, where she remained a faithful member until relocating to Killeen, Texas, in October of 1972.

The witness of her personal relationship with her Savior was apparent to the family of God through the fellowship she maintained with the Body of Christ. The testimony of her profession of Faith was disclosed through the windows of her genuine interest and affirmed through her involvement in the work of the Church.

After relocating to Killeen from Giddings, she united with the Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church. Here, her membership was active and targeted to serve the Lord with gladness in several auxiliaries not limited to the Senior Women’s Mission. The Spiritual Gifts of helps and service were endowed upon her. Without hesitation, they were employed through her willingness to organize, assist, and instruct the younger women with crafts and sewing while impacting their souls with insight from the Word of God. As a woman of Wisdom, she believed in depositing into the destinies of other women’s lives.

Jo Ann’s life is a godly legacy to be celebrated. After 28 years of devoted service to Sprint telephone company, health challenges led her to retire with honor.

Among the greatest delights in her life are two sons born to the first union between her and their father, Booker Thompson.

The second-highest delight of her soul next to her Savior occurred when she met and married Ronald Johnson on November 23, 1993. The two were inseparable companions complementing each other’s earthly course with selfless and ceaseless communion. Laughter, even in the face of disagreements, sustained the theme of their unconditional love for one another.

Her understanding of life was drawn from the contents and commentary of her trust in God. Anything she could not understand was settled by her knowledge of the Identity, Nature, and Character of the God she loved and lived to fear.

The union between her reverence of God and her living to trust in God brought her into His eternal Presence on the afternoon of March 26, 2023.

Among those who preceded her earthly transition are her parents: Howard Lewis and Eva Clyde Sanders; seven siblings: Dorothy Roberts, Larry Sanders, Ruth Hickey, Gladys Rogers, Bobbie Sanders, Mae Hodge, and Lloyd Hodge

Among those who remain to honor her life and cherish her memories are her faithful husband: Ronald Johnson; four children: Broderick Thompson of Killeen, Texas, and Byron (Ericka) Thompson of Desoto, Texas; LaToya Johnson of Detroit, Michigan, and Ronald Johnson Jr. of Detroit, Michigan; One sister: Joyce Bonner of Austin, Texas; Eight grandchildren: Broderick (Monique) Thompson Jr, Brook Thompson, Brittany Thompson, Brandon Thompson, Montez Allen, Monte Allen, Re’nya Johnson, Ronald Johnson III, and a host of other family members, loved ones, and friends.