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Betty Jean Grigg Johnson of Southampton died on August 17. She was 76.
Ms. Johnson was born July 31, 1940, in Southampton, the third child of the late Pedie Leroy and Florence Grigg.
She married Willie Donald Johnson on June 28, 1958, and the couple had three children, Jean Michele Lanham, Donald Leroy and David Spencer. She was affectionately known as “Ma” by her children, “Gannie” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, “Aunt Bet” or “Auntie Betty” by her nieces and nephew and “Iggy” by close friends and family.
Ms. Johnson graduated from Southampton High School—where she was an accomplished student athlete—in 1958. She was the recipient of the Gold Key Award and voted Class Athlete by her fellow classmates.
She was a member of the Bethel AME Church on Windmill Lane in Southampton and, after her church of origin Bethel AME closed its doors, joined the First Presbyterian Church where she remained a faithful member until her death.
She was proud of her Native American ancestry as part of Shinnecock Tribe in Southampton and made sure each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren registered with the Tribal Office.
On December 28, 1971, Ms. Johnson suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed on her left side. Survivors said that this did not stop her from supporting her family, children and grandchildren in their endeavors. She was noted by many, friends and family, as being a very resilient woman. She was diagnosed with cancer on August 6.
Ms. Johnson was predeceased by a son, Donald Johnson; and brother Donald Grigg. She is survived by her husband, Willie Donald of Southampton; daughter Jean Michele Lanham and husband Pastor Edward of Center Moriches, son David Spencer of Atlanta; nine grandchildren, Erik LeRoi Lanhan and wife Johnnel of Washington, D.C., Edward Donald Lanham of Connecticut, Emmanuel Douglas and Elisabeth Jeanette Lanham of Center Moriches, Shatoya Hayes and Raynisha Davis of Georgia, Raquan Little of New York, D.J and Devri Allen of Southampton; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Esther Taylor of Texas; a brother-in-law, Phillip Bradley Johnson and wife Yolanda; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Turpin of husband Sonny, and Hazel Johnson, all of Southampton; an adopted daughter, Irma Apolinaris of Brooklyn; a stepdaughter, Sonya Allen; two godchildren, Dona Jones of Florida and James “Ajax” Padgett of Queens; an uncle, Everett of Virginia; an aunt, Queenie Cox of Brooklyn; two longtime family and friends, Florence Etheridge of Southampton and Karen Padgett of Pennsylvania; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A wake will be held on Saturday, August 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Southampton First Presbyterian Church, with a funeral service to begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Southampton Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Aug 22, 2016