Johnnie Mae Elliott was born October 7, 1935 to the late Selman and Mamie Martin.      Johnnie was the eldest of 5 girls all born in Greensboro Alabama.   Johnnie attended school in Alabama and Michigan, and was excited to tell her oldest two grandchildren that they went to the same Elementary school, Duffield. Johnnie graduated back in Alabama from Hale County and also attended some college there.

Johnnie accepted Christ at an early age, and was a member of Christian Union MBC for many years. She later joined St. John’s Non-denomination Church, and finally settled at her nephew church Steadfast Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Maurice Jackson.

Johnnie moved to Chicago, Illinois met and married the late Karl Spencer. To this union two children were born Leona Dyane and Derrick Aaron who died at birth.

 Johnnie later moved and settled in Detroit, Michigan where she met and married the late James Henry Elliott, to this union two children were born Mamie Anita and Kendra Darice.

Johnnie loved the city of Detroit and enjoyed watching sports and rooting for her Detroit teams. She also enjoyed shooting hoops with the boys in the family and would let you know if you could or couldn’t be on her team. Johnnie worked various jobs, but mainly in healthcare. She has worked for North Detroit General, Royal Nursing, Crown Point, Harper Hospital Urgent Care, and even the Detroit City Co Bldg. where she retired in 2004.

In her past-time she enjoyed watching several television shows, shows that went all the way back to watching with her mother namely “The Stories”, All my Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital. She also enjoyed watching Wheel of fortune, so that she wouldn’t miss seeing the number come out, but would wake up and Jeopardy would be on, and would call Julia or Gloria to find out what the number was cause she missed it.

Johnnie was a thrifty lady, and would share such as she had with everybody, that’s why she enjoyed going to Focus Hope and the “Free House” so she could call and tell you to come by and get a package, and let you know “I got a bonus at focus hope”, that would bring her so much excitement to get so much free stuff and share with her family and neighbors.

Johnnie loved very much her six grandchildren and had a saying for all six of them. DeAunte the oldest was her 1^st boy and needless to say he is spoiled rotten, and in her words “what you gonna do about it.” Anitra her second oldest kept her in line, letting her know she would be okay at school for an extra minute for her to put her teeth in before coming to pick her up, and not to come and get her saying “Hey” to everybody without her teeth. Charles her 2^nd boy and third grandchild amazed her at a very young age I believe 3yrs old, when his older cousin told him he couldn’t go because he was too little, and he told his grandmother “why can’t I go I got 5 girlfriends”, she said that tickled her soul. Her 4^th grandchild who made her presentation at the “yolk breaking” is her namesake Johnnae, but her fascination was how Nita cloned herself. Kendia her 5^th grandchild was born on her sisters’ birthday, and said she will be lucky because Amanda was always lucky. Her 6^th and youngest grandchild Charnay, when she found out that her youngest daughter Kendra was moving to Indiana, she said with the saddest voice you ever heard “you taking my baby away” Kendra was so touched, she quickly corrected Kendra by saying not you my baby Charnay.

Johnnie was diagnosed with breast cancer, March 11, 2016 and fought a good hard fight; God gave her rest on November 13^th at 8:56am at home with a loving family surrounding her.

Johnnie sister, Amanda Pearl Green preceded her in death, and her oldest daughter Leona Dyane Spencer.

Johnnie leaves to cherish her memory:

Three sisters Naomi Jackson of Nashville, TN, Julia Magee of Detroit MI, and Gloria Webster of Detroit, MI, Two daughters Mamie Anita Elliott and Kendra Darice Lovelady of Indianapolis, IN One son in law Charles L Lovelady of Indianapolis, IN, Six grandchildren DeAunte Dwayne Elliott, Anitra Dyane Elliott, Charles L Lovelady, Johnnae Darice Elliott, Kendia Jalyn Lovelady, and Charnay Tamira Lovelady of Indianapolis, IN, One Aunt Sara Alice Coats of Huntsville, AL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2016, at                 Steadfast Baptist Church, 20499 Ohio St Detroit, MI 48221