Deborah Howard Johnson

Deborah Diane Howard Johnson was born February 2, 1965, to Deacon Willie James Howard, Sr. and the late Elizabeth O. Clark Howard Swinton in St. Petersburg, Florida at Bayfront Hospital.  She was raised by her late grandparents, James, and Mother Juanita Turner along with her oldest brother Apostle Johnnie L. Clark.  For it was at the tender age of two that her granddaddy went to her mother’s house and said I am taking her home with me because “I am tired of you hollering at this gal trying to potty train her.”

Deborah became the light of our grandfather’s eye.  In his eyes she could not do any wrong.  Matter of fact he spared her from quite a few of our grandmothers’ whippings. At an early age, she joined Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Elder W. L. Mitchell and there she served in the Youth and Young Adult Choirs, the Junior Usher Board and as she matured became a part of the Young Matrons.

Deborah matriculated through the Pinellas County School System and graduated in 1984 from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida.  She continued her education at Beauty Academy and there she studied cosmetology. She also, worked for U. S. Coast Guard Exchange Base and Ace Check Cashing and Department of Juvenile Justice until she relocated to Columbia, South Carolina in November of 1997.

Deborah was like a Ruth to her grandmother, the late Mother Juanita Turner.  When  Mother Turner decided to relocate to Columbia, South Carolina to be with her oldest grandchild, Apostle Johnnie L. Clark, he said as Ruth said to Naomi; where you go, I will go, where you lodge, I will lodge and where you die, I will die!  Deborah kept her word and surely as her spiritual Naomi, Mother Turner transitioned, March 16, 2007, in Columbia, South Carolina; Deborah transitioned in Columbia, South Carolina.

Upon her relocation to Columbia, South Carolina she along with her grandmother and daughter joined Rehoboth United Assemblies under the leadership of her brother and sister-in-love, Apostle Johnnie L., and the late Dr. Harriett J. Clark. She served in several capacities in the church she oversaw hospitality, president of the usher board, sang in the choir, served on the Apostle’s Posse, and was licensed as a Missionary in July 2001.  Sister Deborah, as she was affectionately called by the saints, was the best candied apple maker this side of the heavens.   While living in Columbia she was employed first at Ace Check Cashing and later became an employee of the state working at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).  On October 21, 2000, she married the late Johnny Johnson.

In 2008, Deborah relocated again, this time to Walterboro, South Carolina. While living there, she was visiting other churches looking for a church home until her brother told her to go to Judah Temple of Deliverance, where Bishop B. Anthony Myers is the pastor; and of course, she did just what her brother said.  While living in Walterboro, she would travel back and forth to work in Columbia, until her health began to fail, and she decided to return to Columbia and once again she lived with her brother and his wife. Many of days and some late nights EMS had to be called to rush her to the Emergency Room. Several times the doctors told the family they did not believe she was going to make it, but every time they thought it was over, she would bounce back. However, early Sunday morning, June 13, 2021, EMS was called to the home but this time she did not bounce back she gained her wings, Monday evening June 21, 2021, at 6:50 pm she was promoted to the Church Triumphant.

In addition to her mother and grandparents that raised her, 5 uncles and 1 special aunt (the late Mrs. Shirley Utley) and her beloved sister-in-love, the late Dr. Harriett J. Clark predeceased her.  Those that are left to cherish her memory: Daughter: Whitney Diane (William) Bush; her father and his wife, Deacon Willie James (Cassandra) Howard Sr., Tampa, Florida; two grandchildren: Ziyain Brown and Donovan Harp-Smith both of Columbia, South Carolina. Ten siblings: Apostle Johnnie L. Clark, Columbia, South Carolina, Bobby Clark, St. Petersburg, Florida, Ricky (Sharon) Baxter, Columbia, South Carolina, Betty J. and Jacqueline N. Howard,  St.  Petersburg, Florida, Willie James (Missy) Howard, Jr., Clewiston, Florida, Lisa (Reggie) Knight, St. Petersburg, Florida; and Arthur L. Smith, Jr., St. Petersburg, Florida; Deborah Shanell Howard and Kunta (Janalyn) Howard, St. Petersburg, Florida.  Two aunts:  Mabel Howard and Juanita Holloman both of St. Petersburg, Florida. Special Godmother, Lois Wright, St. Petersburg, Florida. Several nieces and nephews, and a host of   cousins and a loving church family New Greater Rehoboth United Assemblies.

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