Marlene Johnson

Marlene Johnson was born on January 17, 1937 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was called to her eternal home on Saturday, October 2, 2021. Marlene confessed Christ at an early age and lived her life glorifying the Lord. Marlene was married to her husband Alois for 36 years. They were high school sweethearts and from their union were born two daughters (Angela & Ava) and one son (Alois Marlon). Marlene lived a majority of her life in Gary, IN, where she is a graduate of Roosevelt High School- Class of 1955. She also lived in Dayton, OH, Fort Wayne, IN, before finally relocating to Marietta, GA in 2014. Her final years were lived with all her children near her for the first time in many years, which she really cherished. Marlene was an entrepreneur for 26 years, owning her own in-home daycare center. Many families on the west side of Gary, IN had the opportunity to grace the doors of her daycare. She was a founding member of New Friendship Baptist Church, where she was active in the culinary ministry. She also served as a member of the “Tuesday Ladies” at Southern Heights Baptist Church (Fort Wayne, IN) and headed the Culinary Ministry at New Life Community Church (Fort Wayne, IN) prior to her relocation to Marietta, GA. Her final years she continued her service at Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, GA, where she was a member of the Daughters of Zion. Marlene loved her family more than anything. She is known for her cooking, baking, and keeping an immaculate home. She is affectionately seen as “mom” and “sister" to many family friends. She leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy, one son Alois Marlon (Janel) Johnson of Kennesaw, GA; two daughters, Angela Johnson White of Kennesaw, GA and Ava Rivers of Marietta, GA ; three grandchildren, Erin White, Maya Johnson, and AJ Rivers; two sisters, Janet Miles of Indianapolis, IN and Gloria (Dennis) Crosby of Chicago, IL; sister-n-law, Molina (Carey) Johnson of San Antonio, TX; a host of nieces and nephews; lifelong friend Paul (Phyllis) Anderson of Indianapolis, IN. Marlene was greeted in heaven by our Heavenly Father, her husband Alois; parents Annie Bell and James Lewis; sister Sharon Lewis Smith; nephew Vincent Smith and a host of family and friends.