Katcherlean Johnson

Mother - Evangelist - Missionary Katcherlean Johnson (affectionately) known as Mother Kat) was born in Somerville, Tennessee, to the late William Lawrence and Gladys Inez Coleman Bonner, December 8, 1947. She was the third of six siblings.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need for spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life... Proverbs 31:11-12.

She had such a fiery temper, her father named her Red Girl. But meeting Cinnie Delano Johnson calmed the fire. They fell in love and eloped to wed December 23, 1965. To this union three children were born; Sidney Delano Johnson, Samuel Lee Johnson, and LaVonda Josett Johnson. Her father was happy to know the car was parked at 3844 Harrison Street - Church of God in Christ.

It was here, Mother Kat was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost February 4, 1968, at a revival led by Elder Pryor. She joined the Harrison St. C.O.G.I.C. in 1969. A faithful active member under Bishop Issac King, Jr., she served dutifully first on the Nurses Guild. Mother Kat served in several capacities: President of the Voices of Inspiration, Vice President of the Mother's Board under he leadership of Mother Agnes Logan, assistant and teacher of the Home & Foreign Mission, assistant and teacher of Prayer & Bible Band, Vice President of Mission Circle, Member of the Trustee Board, assistant to several Sunday School Superintendents, including the late Elder Tim Johnson, Deacon Donald Steel, Elder Krafus Walker and Elder Sylvester Rowan. Mother Kat could also be found laboring before the Lord in Monday Morning Prayer as she was a true prayer warrior. Finalizing her work of service on the Mother's Board, she especially loved the communion ceremony. It's sacred and holy elements were dear to her heart.

While her children went to public school, Mother Kat had private school. Her children were required to read a chapter in the bible a day and had a weekly typed bible test, that was scored! She welcomed questions, taught there were no limitations. The youngest competed with the oldest, there was no age discrimination. Truly she taught if you put God first, you could do anything. This translated to Sunday School.

Kids flocked to her Sunday School class. The ability to naturally connect with any child was a gift. She taught you could do anything you put your mind to, just put God first. Her favorite work in the church was the Sunday School department. She often stated, "The best education you can get on this side of heaven is in Sunday School, either teaching or learning about the word of God." She was excellent at relating current world issues with biblical text.

How this translated to Public Education:
July 21, 1974 Harrison Street Church was renamed to Pentecostal Temple. The vision of Elder, now Bishop King translated to forming Inkster Christian Academy in 1979, providing primary and secondary education. In 1991, Pentecostal Temple C.O.G.I.C. and Inkster Christian Academy relocated to Henry Ruff where the Pentecostal Temple Day Care Center was formed along with King Academy.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it... Proverbs 22:6-

King Academy ran an ad in the paper for the Latch Key program. Mother thought she would apply. In consideration for the job she said she could work with $425.00 a week, but the pay was $4.25 an hour. Mother accepted the job. She loved children so much and she loved teaching so much that she went back to school. The skill to influence and inspire children could not be mistaken for anything else but a gift.

So Mother Kat started off with an Associate degree in Urban Education from Wayne County Community College. December 2005 she received a Bachelor's of Science from Eastern Michigan University, followed by a Masters of Education from Marygrove College, December 2010. From the State of Michigan, State Board of Education, February 18, 2011 she received the Provisional Teaching Certificate required by all teachers in the state of Michigan to teach all Elementary Subjects K-5 (K-8 All Subjects Self Contained Classroom). In recognition of her unyielding commitment to advance the academic potential for all students, she received the National Education Trust Award "Dispelling the Myth" - 2011 from the Baylor-Woodson School District.

Until her departure she worked for Wick Elementary beginning February 27, 2014. Serving in different capacities: Core Instructional Assistant (CIA), Summer amp Learn-a-Lot Instructor and she was a long-term substitute. Because roles were eliminated in the district, she was the Building/District substitute. One month after working here she was recognized as having exhibited great character during a school-wide assembly. This was a big deal. She loved this noble profession. It allowed her to do what she did best - shape the character, caliber, and the future of an individual.

Mother Kat firmly believed the fear of a race of people fuels the furnace of failure for students of color. Just because you do not experience life through the same lens does not mean that you can't create an environment where realness, consistency and relationships flourish in the classroom. She was not afraid of the students nor their parents. Students were afraid to disappoint her. Everybody knew, "Ms. Kat does not play."

Teaching in and out of the church has been her life work.

She is proceeded in death by her parents William Lawrence and Gladys Inez Coleman Bonner, husband Cinnie Delano Johnson, grandson Samuel Lee Johnson, Jr., sister Betty Borthwell, brothers George Aaron Coleman and Lawrence Lee Bonner.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates... Proverbs 31:31
She leaves to rejoice in her home going, her devoted children, Sidney Delano Johnson (Erinn), Samuel Lee Johnson (Trina) and LaVonda Josett Johnson (Lisa Holden); three grandchildren, Tia Shanice Johnson, Myles Sidney Johnson and Grant Aaron Johnson; one uncle, Thomas Coleman; siblings, Morlene (Bernard) Rives and Priscilla Jordon; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Davis, Mary Green, Beulah Morris and one brother-in-law, Thomas Johnson; cousins, nieces and nephews. Her church family, the members of Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ; her other daughter, Sister Gigi White and all the ones that made the difference in her life, and a host of students whose lives she has influenced hold dear her memory.

One of her favorite scriptures:
Psalm 27:4 One thing that I desire of the Lord, and that will I see after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Servant of God, they glorious warfare past, the battle is fought, the race is won and thou are crowned at last... Previous Events Family and Friends Gathering JAN 21. 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM (ET) Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home-Westland 4670 S. Inkster Rd. Westland, MI 48186 mcclaryfh@yahoo.com https://www.chapelchimes.com/ Loading map Family Hour JAN 22. 10:00 AM (ET) Pentecostal Temple COGIC 30043 Parkwood Inkster, MI Loading map Celebration of Life JAN 22. 11:00 AM (ET) Pentecostal Temple COGIC 30043 Parkwood Inkster, MI Loading map

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