M arch 16, 2011
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Page 7
A Life Centered
on Church, Family
Opal Thresa
Johnson
serve under Pastor Williams, Pas­
tor Rand, and Pastor Walker. There
were not too many positions in the
church that Sis. Johnson did not
hold — Sunday School teacher,
kitchen committee, choir president,
m u sic ia n , c h u rc h c le rk , and
W omen’s Day coordinator.
When Rev. Johnson was called
to pastor Highland United Church
of Christ, Sis. Johnson did not want
to leave Williams Temple and for
over 10 years she (and the chil­
dren) attended both churches and
participated in all the church activi­
ties. Even after moving to High­
land full time, she always let it be
known that she held duel member­ Members of the gospel, R&B and jazz group E. D. Mondainé & Belief.
ships at both churches.
A funeral service for Opal Thresa
At Highland, she worked as the
Johnson, who died March 6, 2011, youth choir director, served on the
was held last Saturday at the High­ kitchen committee, was a Sunday
land Christian Center.
School teacher, church custodian,
E.D. M ondaind & B elief will bring a blend of
The event will show case several live perfor­
She was bom on April 20,1926, to served on the UCC W om en’s gospel, soulful R&B and contem porary jazz during
mances as well as delicious menu options served
Herbert and Mary Ella Webster in Board, and coordinated the com­ a dinner theater night on Saturday, M arch 19 at 6
up by P o ’Shines Café De La Soul.
Atlanta, Texas, the youngest of eight munity Thanksgiving Dinners.
p.m. at W ave Productions’ Dinner Theater, 8131 N.
The live entertainment is fam ily-friendly and free
children. Her family called her Boots.
W hen h er hu sb an d passed
D enver Ave., in the Kenton district.
to all.
At the age of 18, when her mother away in 1981, Mother Johnson
MNUM
passed away, she moved with her mourned her loss, then got started
oldest sister, Leola Lawson and her again. She served faithfully under
family, to Oregon; first to Vanport in Pastor Dorsey and Pastor Prescod
1944, then to LaGrande. In 1946, she and worked to make the corner­
moved to Portland where she lived stone programs at Highland stron­
vary Missionary Baptist Church
with her sister, Lula Mae Cook. Later, ger. The Thanksgiving Dinner
(Greater New Hope) in Portland. This
her sister Melvina Giles moved to thrived; she led the Mission anc
Phillip Irwin Jarrett was born on
year, under the leadership of Dr.
Portland, followed by many of her Outreach Department, and the Sam
Aug. 3, 1951 in A nderson, S.C. to
Alvin B. Ellerby he was ordained as
oldest brother’s children, her father Johnson M emorial Scholarship
Zadie M. Jarrett-G ilm ore and the
a deacon. Phillip loved his church
Hebert, and finally her brother O. L. Fund was created. As a member o
late Jam es T. Jarrett. He died on
family!
Opal began worked in the Or­ the Highland Executive Board she
March 6,2001.
S u rv iv o rs include his w ife
egon shipyards as a young woman. was a supporter of Pastor Hardy’s
As a child, he attended public
Karen Jarrett; children Anthony
She later became a housekeeper and appointment and was a true fol­ schools in H illsborough County
and Adrienne Jarrett (fiancé of
ended her working career with the lower of his leadership until her in Tam pa, Fla. He graduated from
Ja m is o n R o ss); s te p c h ild re n
Portland Progress House where she death.
G.S. Middleton Senior High School
E dreece P h illip s and R octhel
cooked for over 25 years.
in Tam pa in 1970 where he played
She leaves to love and treasure
D avis; g ran d ch ild ren M aurice
In June 1961, Opal married Rev. her memories, two sons, Samuel Jr.
varsity basketball. A fter gradua­
Garrett, Seantinae Pearson, Bran­
Samuel Johnson, then Sergeant (Connie) and Richard; daughter,
tion, he attended H illsborough
don Jarrett, Latasha, Rocthell Jr.,
Johnson of the U.S. Army who was Vera Watson (Leonard); grandchil­ Com m unity College for one year.
Jaden Davis, Edreece Jr., Israel
stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., and dren, Michael Lee (Sarah), Robert
He later enlisted in the Air Force
and Savannah Phillips, Michael
served in the Korean War. To this Lee (Kesha), Chris Jones II, Nicole
where he served six years.
vices.
W a sh in g to n T o w n e r III and
union brought three children. What­ Atkinson (Seth), Jeremy Johnson,
In 1993, Phillip m oved to Port­
At an early age, Phillip was bap­ Breantce M inniew eather; m other
ever the kids did, she was involved D ecem ber W atson; and great
la n d . He w as e m p lo y e d by tized at St. John Missionary Baptist Zadie M. Gilmore; as well as a host
w ith -g o o d or bad. Neither she nor g ra n d c h ild re n
F reightliner C orporation, IITR Church and was a member of the o f nieces, nephews and friends.
R eyshaw n
Sam believed in sitting idle so the Atkinson, Neela Thresa Atkinson, C orporation, Job 1 Security and youth choir. In his later years, he
Arrangements entrusted to Terry
family was always on the go; trips to Lynsi Lee, Laci Lee, Josie Lee, and G reater New Hope Fam ily Ser- joined and faithfully served at Cal- Family Funeral Home.
Tacoma, the St. Paul Rodeo, the Jake Lee.
Oregon Coast, family gatherings,
She also leaves her niece, sister
and church.
and best friend Ruth Peoples; lov­
Church and family was Sister ing in-laws George & Ophelia
Johnson’s life and in most cases Murry, Bemis & Betty Dorsey,
one couldn't differentiate between Rebecca Griffith-Ross; Godchil­
the two. When first moving to Port­ dren Zoe W ilson-Price, Chris
A celebration of life and fundraising benefit in honor of Linda
land she became a member of Mt. Fridge, Daniel Martin, Dennielle
Clark, a Portland woman who has been diagnosed with a life
Olive Church of God in Christ where Martin, Robert Martin; two church
changing illness, will be held Saturday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at the
she was saved and filled with the families; four generations of nieces
Holy Ghost under the leadership of and nephews; and the Lord only
Fellowship Missouri Baptist Church, 4027 N. Missouri.
Pastor H.D. Williams.
knows how many folks that called
The event will include songs of praise and testimonials. Refresh­
As Mt. Olive grew, she moved her friend.
ments will be served. All are welcome to attend. For more
into the “big church,” Williams
A rrangem ents en tru ste d to
information, call 503-914-7494.
Temple, where she continued to Terry Family Funeral Home.
Gospel Group Dinner Theater
Deacon Loved his Church Family
Phillip ‘PJ’ Jarrett
Celebration of Life