Delores C. Johnson October 30, 1937- February 11, 2020

Obituaries — By Gail Jhonson on February 17, 2020 at 12:12 pm

Delores C. Johnson

By Gail Jhonson and Buddy Sampson

Delores C. Johnson was the youngest of 3 children born on October 30, 1937, to her parents, the late Phillip E. Smith and Viola Dorothy Smith. Delores passed away on February 11, 2020, after a short battle with lung cancer.

Delores, affectionately known as “Ms. Dee” to many, was a homemaker and a bakery worker. As an activist in her community, Delores was a poll worker and supported 750 students in charity work at St. Labre Indian School. She was an advocate and strong protector of her family & friends.

Her family moved from King George County, VA to Philadelphia. She was educated in the Philadelphia public school district and attended Simon Gratz High School. She enjoyed Scrabble, playing cards, family vacations and weekly fun with her sister.

Delores was known to be a “spitfire on wheels.” “She stood up for what was right,” says her daughter Bernita. “We grew up in an era where there was racial animus, she stood up for us against any adversaries that came, whether it was from school or from neighbors that didn’t want us there. She was proud with morals and principles.” She loved to cook, with a reputation of having the “best potato salad in the world,” said Genie, her goddaughter.

Baseball was a sport she enjoyed watching with her daughter, Donna and her favorite team was the Philadelphia Phillies. Traveling was her passion and she enjoyed trips to California, Florida and Hawaii, especially by train. She cherished her 50th & 80th birthday party given by her loving devoted daughter, DeNichole aka Poowhie, her personal event planner. She had a great sense of humor, thinking it was funny taking her 5 children on a ride going 90 miles per hour around the curves of Lincoln Drive in her red Chevy convertible, wearing a fresh haircut dyed red. Her children were scared to death but had so much fun with her.

Delores was a huge inspiration for her daughter Gail Johnson, aka Gail Jhonson, by exposing her to classical and jazz music. Gail, a sensational keyboardist, has graced the stage with many jazz and R&B artists. “I thank her so much for the piano lessons and music books and allowing our band, Natural Experience to rehearse and run up the electricity,” as Gail reminisces.  She loved swimming and supported her daughters Venus and Chrissy Tiger Sharks’ swim team, who won many awards at their swim meets. She was a great dancer as well, a gift shared with her daughters Donna and DeNichole.

Delores enjoyed music and artists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke. Later, Dee was affectionally known as the “Hip Hop Grandma,” and she was fond of the music of 50 Cent, Usher, T.I. and R&B singer Jaheim, who was her absolute favorite artist. She got the chance to see Jaheim in person with DeNichole & Marcus in 2018 in the pouring rain at the Dell East and refused to move an inch until the show was totally over, one of the best experiences of her life.

Delores is survived by her six daughters, Bernita Reeves, Gail Johnson (Willie), Donna Johnson, Venus Williams (Kleen), Christine Johnson, & DeNichole Holden (Marcus Sr.), one brother, Bill Reeves, six  grandchildren Linsey (Johnnie), Darren, Tamina, Dominick, Ashley and Marcus Jr., and three great- grandchildren Gabriella, Darren Jr. & Peyton. She also leaves her dear goddaughter Genie, stepdaughter Wanda, best friend Diane Williams and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends across the country, including members of the First Baptist Church. Preceding her in death was her parents, Phillip and Viola Dorothy, Shirley Plunkett (sister), Gaylord Johnson (husband), and her grandsons Aaron Jones and Cole Holden.  Delores C. Johnson loved Marcus Jr’s playful spirit, Tamina’s singing, Ashley’s dancing, Darren, her scrabble winner, her princesses Linsey and Gabby, Dominick’s comedy, and Aaron’s entertainment. She leaves a legacy of resilience, grace and the spirit of persevering through the odds.  She got her wings before our hearts were ready.