Clara Johnson

On April 27, 1920, Clara Mae Cole was born to loving parents Charlie and Luvater Cole in Delight, Arkansas. Four years later to this union was born her sister, Clarenda Cole. Clara Mae attended Arkansas public schools and upon completion of her tenth grade year decided to help her family and start working. She soon would move and explore other states moving on to Texas and eventually settling in Michigan. Her move to the Motor City became the ideal place to settle down.
Clara Mae was a hard worker and held various jobs from cooking to residential cleaning. Later, she discovered her ultimate love in caring for kids and people becoming a nurse at the Detroit Children's Hospital. She so enjoyed her family as they engaged in fun time with lots of parties especially with the cousins.

Sometime later Clara Mae met and married Robert M. Johnson (deceased) and their union lasted ten years. Even as Clara Mae's health deteriorated and her working days had ceased, she welcomed Darnell and Renee Cargile into her home. She did everything she could for them and gave them the best she had. This commitment helped them to thrive and become successful adults. Clara Mae was very passionate about civil rights and voting, never missing an election even up to her ninetieth year!

Although Clara Mae had retired from the work force, she did not stop trying to do good for others. Her contributions included: Serving food to the homeless daily at the Sister's of Charity, helping with Meals on Wheels and making sure her daughter, Renee did likewise. As a faithful member of Puritan Avenue Baptist Church she served on the Nurse's Guild and later would go on to fully help establish the Mother's Board. Church fellowship and her devotion to God was an on-going joy for her.

While her spirituality flourished with much fervor so did her gardening. The entire backyard was like a farm flowing with string beans, cabbage, turnip greens, and tomatoes- you name it and she was growing it. Many days family and neighbors stopped by to get the pick of her crop.



Clara Mae was even more of a marvel in the kitchen making mouth watering soul food for all those around. Her signature dishes were dressing, cabbage, greens, yams, egg custard and peach cobbler. She later would lose the ability to tend to this love, but God had something else in mind.

Clara Mae's new blessing came - GRANDKIDS! Along came Trevor, she would take him to church anytime she could for him to read the books of the bible. Tavian (Mess Around) she named him for the way her danced to the Staples' "Respect Yourself". Trenton (Pretty Boy) who snuck away with her heart with all the kisses he bestowed on her. She would save her last change to make sure she always had something to give them.

As Clara Mae's needs of care advanced she moved to Northwest Continuing Care, she continued to go to church there. She reached out to those less fortunate and helped them as she could. Her hair appointments were a bi-weekly necessity. She developed many friendships but her best friends were Gerald and Angie. There was also a special place in her heart for two of the aides who were the only ones she wanted, Queen and Ms. Brown. Thank you, both for loving her so much.

On October 20, 2010, God called his daughter home and put to rest all her pain. While her story has come to an end here on earth, her legacy of love for God and others continues in all of us whose lives she touched.

Left cherishing her memories is her beloved sister Clarenda Brown, two children- her son, Darnell Cargile and daughter, Renee (Deveco) Bridges. She also is survived by three grandchildren- Trevor Bridges, Tavian Bridges and Trenton Bridges, a host of cousins spanning the globe from California to Arkansas to Ohio to Michigan and countless friends.

Proceeding her in passing were her mother, Luvater Osborn Cole and father, Charlie Cole along with her grandson, Brian Foster Bridges.

The family would like to personally acknowledge the entire Puritan Avenue Baptist Church for how they have loved, encouraged and supported Sis. Clara Mae Johnson all her days. A very special thank you and hug for Pastor and Miss. Failes, Patrice Jones, Valerie Smiler, Sis. Gay, Sis. Fletcher and family, Sis. Harper, Sis. Marshall, Deborah Robinson. Also, a special mention of her other three like-daughters: Roxanne Dawson, Karen Williams and Tonya Patton. Thank you all for loving her so much!