Mrs. Easter Maureen Kendrick Johnson's Obituary
aster Maureen Kendrick Johnson, the fourth child of seven children born to the late Mary Jane Nichols Kendrick and Andrew Kendrick, Jr. in Stonewall, MS, was born April 20, 1935. The angels came and she departed this life on October 12, 2014, at Jeff Anderson Regional Hospital, Meridian, MS. She attended public schools in Stonewall and graduated from Shirley-Owens High School, Quitman, MS in 1953. She completed the Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at Jackson State University and the Master of Education Degree at William Carey College. An esteemed and dedicated educator, she was known for her warmth, generosity, humility and captivating smile. While teaching in Greene County, she served as the head basketball coach. In 1972, Easter was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America Award and was acknowledged by then Congressman, G.V. Sonny Montgomery. Her gift of teaching was shared with over 6000 children of Clarke and Greene Counties for forty years. Upon her retirement, she received commendations from local and national officials including former President William "Bill" Clinton. She was also actively involved in civic and community activities. As one of the first members of the Ebonette Club of Clarke and Wayne Counties, she wrote the club's song and served faithful in leadership positions. Being raised in the home of a 33° Mason and a Grand Worthy Matron, Easter was initiated into Rankin Chapter #18 of the Order of the Easter Star in 1963. She later achieved the distinction of Grand Most Worthy Matron of the Queen Ann Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star for the State of Mississippi. In 2012, Easter became only the second recipient of the Fraternal Friendship Award for outstanding achievement and dedication. It was presented by the Original Supreme Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of the United States of America, Inc. She was a lifelong member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she served as pianist, Sunday school teacher, youth director, mission president, secretary, and in any other needed capacities. She was a certified teacher in Christian education and taught classes in the First Enterprise and in East Mississippi State Congresses of Christian Education, in Leadership Schools, and in workshops designed to address challenges faced by young people. On February 27, 1960, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Les Johnson, Jr., a union that lasted until his death in 1996. Those who will be most profoundly deprived of the warmth of her pleasing personality and the expressions of her Jove include: a devoted son Les Wendell Johnson of Quitman, MS; a loving daughter Valeria Denyne Johnson of Greensboro, NC; a sister Doris Kendrick Parker of Stonewall, MS; a brother Melvin (Charlean) Kendrick of Chattanooga, TN; a sister-in-law Donna Kendrick of Meridian, MS; a brother-in-law Conrad Woods, Sr. of GreenviJle, SC; Tommie (Maxine) Johnson of State Line, MS and Ollie Johnson of San Francisco, CA; her "play daughter" Mary Packer of San Francisco, CA; and her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother Houston Kendrick, and her sisters Bernice Kendrick Jordan, Ann Kendrick Woods, and Imogene Kendrick Thompson.
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