Opal Johnson Funeral Program

You will always be

d e r e b m R em e

Obituary

Evangelist Opal Geraldine Johnson, affectionately known to many as “Ma or aunt Gerri,” departed this life singing and worshipping God. She was lovingly welcomed into the arms of Jesus on May 19, 2024, at 11:15pm. It was fitting, given the sanctified life she led, that this was also Pentecostal Sunday.

On April 05, 1940, Christiphena Thomas, and Ebenezer Thomas welcomed into the world a beautiful baby girl, Opal Geraldine. Born at Peebles Hospital in the British Virgin Islands, Opal was a precocious child who was loved by many. From a young age, she was already exhibiting a warm heart for people.

Opal received her education in the US Virgin Islands, but soon left her mother’s home at the age of fourteen to live in Tortola; an Island located in the British Virgin Islands.

There she took care of her ailing grandparents, Sarah Johnson and Joseph Thomas.

After her grandparents died, she returned to St. Thomas where she entered the workforce, serving as a Chef in a local hotel. She became a skilled cook, and over the course of her life, she was well known for her delicious signature dishes. People are still coveting her Curry chicken and Potatoes, Pea Soup with Dumplings, Beef Patties, and her special American Chop Suey, made on Christmas Eve. By then, Opal was already the mother of two daughters, Grace and Celia, and it wouldn’t be long before she would set her sights on the States for a better life for them. In 1962, at the age of twenty-two years old, she left the small Island of St. Thomas, and headed toward a much bigger pond, Boston, Massachusetts. There, her friend Rita would find her work with Mr. Shorts, a Lawyer. She worked as a Live in Worker, caring for him and his family.

Once in Massachusetts, Opal met and married Paris Johnson, and they welcomed her third daughter, Gwendolyn. She also continued her time in the workforce, working as a Nurse’s Aide at Boston City Hospital, before transferring to Jewish Memorial Hospital in Roxbury Massachusetts, and then the Townsend Nursing home, where she ended her working career as a Nurse’s Assistant.

In 1974, Opal was walking in Dudley Square, and there in front of a bank she met Evangelist O’Conner. Evangelist O’Conner was witnessing and passing out tracks, and she stopped Opal to talk. This divine encounter would change Opal’s life forever.

In March of 1975, after months of attending church and dedicating her life to the Lord, Opal received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost in her home. Her dear cousin, Minister Berris Cox was there at the time. And so began her assignment for Christ.

Opal served on many church boards, and was part of the singing group, “The Mighty Descendants of Time.” She would also go on to join a prayer group called, “The Faithful Few Are Praying for You.” After a three-day fast called by Minister Rogers, her full assignment would come into view. When the fast was completed, God granted Opal with a special gift, the power of healing hands.

In 1977, Opal was ordained as a licensed Evangelist while she was faithfully serving as a member of Bethel Highway Church of Christ in Dorchester, Massachusetts. She was under the leadership of Bishop James Johnson and remained a member of Bethel Highway throughout her life, also serving as National Mother of the Highway Church of Christ Organization. She received numerous awards for her work in the organization, some to include faithfulness in the organization, and a building fund award. Opal knew how to raise money!

Opal went on to minister across different states, including her home in Massachusetts, where she was known for her engaging messages that didn’t hold back any punches. She would tell you like it is, so you could understand it. She laid hands on the sick and broken hearted, and many were healed through the power of Jesus Christ. Opal always said, Jesus was the healer, she was just the vessel.

Opal was a great counselor, a devout witness, and was well known for her prayer life. People from all over would send their loved ones to her when someone needed prayer. Although she was stricken with many ailments over her life—over seventeen surgeries, and six bouts with cancer—she always took the time, no matter how she was feeling, to pray for anyone in need and lend her words of wisdom. When she was no longer physically able to frequently go out and pray for people, she started a prayer line where she continued to pray and minister to people over the phone. Up until the day she would depart this life, Opal was praying.

Opal’s story lives on because, in April of this year, she added “Author” to her many titles. With the help of her granddaughter, Lorraine, the accounts written in her journal about her walk with God, her journey of receiving the gift of healing hands, and the miraculous stories of the people she’s prayed for who were healed, was turned into a book — My Healing Hands: The Power of Prayer. By Evangelist Opal Johnson.

Opal fought the good fight. She finished her course. She kept the faith. Henceforth, a crown of righteousness, that the Lord, the righteous judge, will give, has now been given to her in glory (2 Timothy 4: 6-8).

d n i h e b s e v a e l l a p O

Daughters- Grace, Celia, Gwendolyn. Brenda, Son in Laws- Joseph, Leon. GrandchildrenMaurice, Joseph, Laticia, Solomon, Lorraine, Latia, Lawrence, Jared, Shamyre, Melissa, Cachelle, Sheldon. Grand In-Laws- Tenia, Jermaine, Akilah, Kauras. Great-Grand Children- Jaheed, Dyamond, Alyssa, Zyaire, Tyrell, Jaleel, Jaslyn, Justice, Tyree, Jordan, Jermaine, Lyric, Solomon, Jordyn, Tyshawn, Keivon, King, Elle, Ever. Cousins- Dale, Diana, Berris, Theresa, Joel. She leaves a host of God Children as well as spiritual sisters, brothers, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends who became family, who are all just too numerous to name.

She is preceded in death by, Christiphena (mother), Ebenezer (father), Paris Johnson (husband), Aldrich (brother), Judith (sister), Delano (brother), Ricky (spiritual son).

ls r i g r e h m o r f e Messag

The Children of Opal (Ma) Johnson, want to let everyone know although Ma was their mother, because of her loving spirit, they shared her with many. Gwen shared with us that her mother was the mother that everyone wanted and hoped for, and there will always be a hole in her heart that can never be filled. She will always love and miss her mother.

Celia shared with us that she will miss her mother’s voice, her prayers and her wisdom, and she will miss calling her, and sharing her love for her. Grace shared with us that her mother has always been important to her and, as a child, she would dream about what would happen if she ever lost her mother. Even back then, she couldn’t imagine her life going on without her. She said her mother was special to her, and she appreciates all the sacrifices she made for her, and the unconditional love she’d given her.

The daughters of Opal Johnson, as well as the family would like to thank everyone for their calls, texts, cards, words of comfort, and support through this difficult time.

We love you all. And as Ma would say, “Keep the faith!”

ORDER OF

Celebration Procession

Master of Ceremony Bishop Frank Roach Prayer Musical/Hymns When we will get to heaven Scriptures Old Testament: Elder Samuel Ferguson New Testament: Elder David Harmon Prasie & Worship Remarks Elder Isaiah Forbes Apostle Berris Cox Bishop Washington Elder Lynch Reading of obituary and Acknowledgements Donette “Tweetie” Wilson Special Song Evangelist Washington Eulogy/Life Tribute Bishop Joseph Rogers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The family would like to send their sincere appreciation and thanks to the numerous doctors, nurses, specialist, and other medical care teams, who cared for our precious loved one, Opal, (Ma) during her life: Boston Medical Center, Boston University Medical Center, McLeod Health Center, McLeod Regional Health center in Cheraw and Florence, and McLeod Wound Center. A special Thank you to her oncologist, Dr. Nerhu, her kidney specialist, Dr. Madsood, and her Primary Care Specialist, Nurse Practitioner Earline Little.

PALLBEARERS Maurice, Joseph, Solomon, Lawrence, Jared, Sheldon, Jermaine, Kauras, Jaheed, Tyrell, Jaleel, Justice, Tyree, Jordan, Jermaine, Solomon, Tyshawn, Keivon, King

REPAST LITHUANIAN KITCHEN RESTAURANT BAR 368 W Broadway South Boston, MA 02127 PARKING OPTIONS Pay for Park: 383 Athens st South Boston Ma.02127 Municipal lot: 449 W. Broadway South Boston MA

FUNERAL HOME SERVICES Floyd A. Williams Funeral Home, Inc. 490 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02125