Mamie Hopson Johnson of Southampton died on September 11. She was 97.
Born on January 21, 1917, in Skippers, Virginia, she was the daughter of John and Lillar Hopson. She moved with her family to Bridgehampton in 1928 and attended the local school. She was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton. She married Joseph Johnson Sr., who predeceased her, in 1935, and they had four children. They eventually moved to Southampton, where they joined the First Baptist Church of Southampton, which was under the leadership of the Reverend William H. Green.
As a member of the church, she was named “mother” of the First Baptist Church of Southampton by the Reverend Henry Faison Jr. on April 10, 2011. She was a diligent usher for more than 70 years and, more recently, an honorary usher. She was also matron to the junior ushers for many years and one of the main fundraisers for the church and a member of the church’s Floral Club and Missionary Society. She was also known for her skill in the kitchen, as a loving foster mother and as a member of the Royal Deans.
Ms. Johnson is survived by two daughters, Mamie Delores Crump and husband Fred of Bay Shore and Lola Carpenter of Gordon Heights; two sons, Joseph Johnson Jr. and wife Irene of Southampton and James Johnson and wife Brenda of Riverhead; two foster sons, Eddie Cullam-Johnson of Southampton and Carl Diggs-Johnson of Pennsylvania; a foster daughter, Barbara Crump; a godson, Teddy Turpin; 17 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Martha Craggette and husband Fred and Mary Taylor; a brother, William Hopson; and a sister-in-law, Mary Hopson.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service was held on September 16 at the First Baptist Church of Southampton; the Reverend Henry Faison Jr. officiated. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery.