Detroiter Mattie Johnson lived a life of service to family, community, students and seniors

Yahoo

10-04-2025

Mattie Bernice Jones Johnson lived the Biblical charge 'To whom much is given, much is required.' And she gave with gusto — to her family, to her work as an educator, to her community and to her beloved sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She was the driving force behind the sorority establishing Delta Manor, a senior citizen's building in Detroit. Johnson died March 22 at the age of 87.
Johnson's passion for service was fueled by her own life. Her family couldn't afford college, so she had her mind set on becoming an executive secretary. But a teacher submitted her name for a college scholarship to Wayne State University. She went on to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree from the university. She worked for the Detroit public schools for 30 years, mostly as a librarian.
While at Wayne State, she was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she found kinship among like-minded women determined to excel academically while living lives rooted in service.
'Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. meant a lot to my mom because she understood the assignment of the 22 Founders,' recalled her daughter Robyn Joya Johnson. 'Because the trajectory of mom's life changed after being awarded a four-year scholarship to Wayne State University, she felt the need to give to ensure other Black women and men were supported and guided to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.'
One of those people was Tony Vernon, who first met Mattie Johnson when she pulled him aside after observing him walk a different girl to class every day at Cooley High School where she worked as a librarian. She told him that if he kept walking girls to class, he'd be late for his own classes. She insisted he focus on his schooling. It was the start of an endearing lifelong connection.
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'I am the man I am because of Mattie Johnson,' Vernon said. 'She gave me my marching orders, and I followed them.' After graduating from Cooley, Vernon served in the U.S. Navy. And after an honorable discharge, he earned a business degree from California State University.
'And all four of my children have their college degrees,' he said. 'Mattie was my mentor, counselor, spiritual adviser, my teacher and Mattie was my Mom. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. Mattie taught me how to be a husband and a father. She has done so much for me.'
Doing much was Mattie Johnson's way. She served as the 24th president of the Detroit Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., from 1983 to 1985. Among her lasting accomplishments was leading the establishment of Delta Manor, a 100-bed, seven-story apartment building for senior citizens, located on Detroit's east side.
'Had it not been for Soror Mattie's vision and compassion to better the lives of our seniors and for the community as a whole, there would be no Delta Manor,' said Barbara Anderson, current president of the Board of Directors of Delta Manor. 'Delta Manor stands as a realization of her vision and the efforts of those she empowered to bring the dream to light. Mattie served as president of the Board of Directors from 1995 to 1997.'
Johnson instilled her zest and appreciation for learning in countless students and her own three children as well. She set high standards of achievement and was proud to see her family meet those standards. She and her husband, Robert Johnson Jr., celebrated 63 years of marriage in March.
'Mom was proud of her husband fulfilling a dream of becoming an entrepreneur (he owns a Precision Tune franchise) and all three daughters and three grandchildren obtaining college degrees,' Robyn Johnson said.
Robyn Johnson recalled one lesson, in particular, that stuck with her. As a teenager, she repeated a misguided comment from a classmate: Elections are stupid, she made the mistake of saying to her mother.
'My mother corrected me and explained why elections were in the best interest of ALL people because, and I quote her, 'Elections determine the quality of water you drink, the food you eat, and the air you breathe.' I have always remembered this statement and have voted in every election — local, state and national — ever since.'
Among her mother's most endearing qualities was her ever-present smile, loving spirit and nonjudgmental attitude, Robyn Johnson said.
'She always gave people the benefit of doubt and knew that people are doing the very best that they can," she said. "Mom was loved, admired, and respected by all who knew her."
In addition to Delta Sigma Theta, Mattie Johnson's community service included leadership roles in The Elliottorian Business Professional Women's Club, Miller High School Alumni Association, the Sussex Woods Homeowner Association and Tots-N-Teens Inc.
'Mom was someone people could depend on to see a project through to success,' Robyn Johnson said. "When Mom was given a task or volunteered for a project, she never wavered; (she) gave her time and attention to details; ensuring a phenomenal, finished project."
Besides her husband. Robert, and daughter Robyn, Mattie Johnson also is survived by daughters June Michele and Linda Donise (Alfie).
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Kemp Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 24585 Evergreen Road, in Southfield. Funeral services will be held Friday, beginning with a Family Hour at 10 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 5050 St. Antoine, in Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Delta Manor senior center founder, Detroiter Mattie Johnson dies at 87