Sherwood Content centenarian hailed as devoted church woman

Evelyn Maud Johnson, whose life spanned an eventful 104 years, was hailed as an upstanding woman of substance by residents of her Sherwood Content home district in Trelawny, at Saturday's thanksgiving service.

It was held at the community's Waldensia Baptist Church, where Johnson was a devoted member of the Women's Federation for over 63 years.

"There was hardly an event put on by the federation where she was not present. On the rare occasion that she was absent, her name would be mentioned," said Dwight Frazer, the president of the Jamaica Baptist Union. "Whatever the task assigned to her, there was never a doubt that it would be accomplished."

Johnson, who raised three daughters as a single mother, was so highly revered in her church circles that all of nine ministers of religion participated in the eight tributes on her funeral programme.

"She was a peaceful and respected Christian in the district and across Jamaica," said Sherwood Content native Fitz Brown, who remembers Johnson from his childhood days growing up in the community.

"It started with her presence at the prayer house just across the road from my home. If only one person turned up for the meeting, it would be Miss Evelyn."

According to Brown, Johnson was so committed to her church duties that she earned the nickname, 'Church Police.'

"She was an usher who would be at the entrance to the church. She took it as a duty to ensure all children behaved. One look from her and you would behave. If you went outside to the toilet and you spend too much time, she would come and get you," said Brown.

In the eulogy, which was shared by Johnson's grandson Fernando Henlon and grandniece Carmen Gordon, she was remembered as a farmer who cultivated yam, cassava and a variety of vegetables.

"We were never hungry... she had limited education, but she valued it. We were all pointed to acquire post-secondary education. We cannot forget the Christian values she instilled in us. She was always singing a song from the Sankey," said Henlon.

Johnson was interred in the Johnsons' family plot alongside two of her daughters who predeceased her.