Lillie Mayes Johnson was born on April 30, 1934, to Fannie Williams and John Richard Mayes in Rock Hill, SC. She departed this life peacefully on August 12, 2025.
She was raised mostly by her grandmother who helped nurture her love of cooking, baking and becoming a seamstress. Lillie May (as she was affectionately called) joined Boyd Hill Baptist Church at a very young age, where she sung on the choir and served on the missionary board.
Lillie May loved the lord and she displayed her love by joining Second Baptist Church where she was a member of the Kitchen Circle among other groups. She would ensure her daughters shared that same love by having them at 9 am Sunday School and 11 am service every Sunday.
She was educated in Rock Hill Public schools before she migrated from South Carolina to the Bronx, New York. While in New York, Lillie May worked various jobs such as seamstress and housekeeper before settling in Long Branch, New Jersey where she was employed at Personal Touch Cleaners for over 40 years. Lillie May was married to James W. Johnson and raised 2 daughters, 1 granddaughter and a host of nieces and nephews along her journey. She had many friends who became family during her time in New Jersey.
Lillie May enjoyed sewing and hosting parties where she was an avid card player. She was also a member of the Grand Court of Calanthe where she was very active and the recipient of many service awards. She was known for her sweet and sassy personality by everyone she encountered. She was known to be stern and no nonsense but was very selfless and caring to everyone.
In her journey through life, Lillie Mayes Johnson was preceded in death by her husband James W. Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory 3 brothers John Agurs (deceased), Bobby Mayes (deceased), and Keith Mayes. She also leaves daughters, Tamike Patterson, Baltimore, MD, Quiana Brown, Long Branch, NJ; granddaughter Serenity Brown, Long Branch, NJ; 2 nieces Phyllis Perry and Linda Bennett and a whole host of nephews and many friends.
