Lillian Keyes Johnson brought joy during her lifetime to the lives of many throughout the church and the world. At God's appointed time, she burst forth onto the world's scene in the form of a tiny baby girl! She was born on Monday, February 9, 1925 in Lansing, Michigan, a proper child of promise to the parents of Deacon Clarence and Elnora Keyes.

Lillian experienced a life of love and adoration for Christ. As a teenager she was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost under the pastorage of the late Eld. Perry Robinson. As a child she participated in all the activities of the church. Her spiritual experience and association intensified her interest in the spiritual life and work of her local church. She was talented, especially enjoying the department of music, singing and playing the piano. She was a lover of people and knew no strangers. The family transferred to the St. Joseph Street Church of God in Christ (now Lansing COGIC). At the age of 18 this special young woman won the heart of the widowed pastor, Supt. Charles J. Johnson Sr. In 1945 they were united in Holy Matrimony. This union was blessed with seven talented children; two sons and five daughters, including one set of twins.

Superintendent C.J. Johnson took his wife and first born to Pontiac where he was pastoring at Johnson Temple COGIC (now known as Johnson Memorial COGIC). Mother Johnson worked diligently by her husbands side in the ministry. She was a soldier that fought patiently, faithfully, and honorably, serving in the home, training her children, comforting the needy, lodging the strangers and encouraging her husband. Her professional career was that of a physical therapist.

In 1959, at the death of Bishop C.L. Anderson Sr., Supt. Johnson was appointed Prelate of Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction by the late founder of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop C.H. Mason. Mother Johnson took on the arduous task of being both Pastor and Bishop's wife and the mother of seven children. Following the demise of her husband, and until her own demise, Mother Johnson remained a faithful member and pillar of Johnson Memorial Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor William Tymms, and finally Pastor Leroy Little. 

Due to her loyal dedication and sincerity to God, her untiring labors in her local church, District and State work, she was chosen to serve as a special aide to the late Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey, General Supervisor and organizer of Women's International Convention. 

Mother Johnson was appointed to the office of Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women in 1995, by Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop P. A. Brooks, following the demise of Mother Mary Jane Hopkins (at the age of 108 years old). Mother Johnson had served for twenty years as first assistant to Mother Hopkins. With a record of never being late or absent from a Sister's Unity Meeting, save one, she is the 4^th appointed supervisor in the history of the Church of God in Christ' Historic First Jurisdiction of Michigan. Bishop P.A. Brooks gave her the nickname of "24 Karat." During her tenure, Mother Johnson founded the (Northeast Michigan) State Women's Department Workshops.

Mother Johnson was appointed by Mother Emma F. Crouch, General Supervisor of the Department of Women, Church of God in Christ, Inc., as an alternate to the National Supervisors Representation Board to represent her in matters pertaining to the women's work. Later appointed by our present General Supervisor, Mother Willie Mae Rivers, as area representative for Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

During the early days of her church career, she was noted for her expertise in music ministry. She skillfully played the piano, taught, trained and directed musicians, choirs, soloists, groups, and children. For a number of years, she was the State Minister of Music and director for the Clergy Wives Choir. Mother Johnson has worked untiringly and faithfully in the local, district, state, and national church, serving with humility for the cause of Christ.

Her loyal dedication to God and her leaders is exemplified throughout the work of the ministry of the church on all levels:

• District Missionary of Marantha District

• First Assistant Supervisor for 20 years (Mother Mary J. Hopkins, Supervisor)

• Organizer & Coordinator of Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction Women's Leadership Conference

• Member of Steering Committee

• Coordinator of Music for the Department of Women

• Member of the Bishops Wives Circle (served as Secretary to Mother Deborah Mason Patterson)

• Selected & Appointed Supervisor of Women, Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction, in 1995 by Bishop P.A. Brooks

• Appointed Alternate Nat'l Supervisor's - Area Representative by the late Mother Emma Crouch

• Appointed Nat'l Supervisor's Area Representative by Mother Willie Mae Rivers

• Organizer of the Michigan/Canadian Supervisor's Unit

She was warm and kindhearted, yet full of strength, experience and wisdom, always willing to work with her hands and promote the work of the Lord. She was a woman of distinction, dignity, and excellence.