Hester Johnson

"Her Children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28
The Life and Legacy of Mrs. Hester Elizer Proctor Johnson.
Mother Hester Elizer Proctor Johnson was born to Mr. Otto Proctor and Mrs Liler Collins Proctor on January 6, 1920 in Marquez, Texas. Mother Johnson attended schools in the Juett and Frost areas, completing 8th grade. Later the family moved to Mexia, Texas. Mother Johnson accepted Christ at an early age and eventually moved to Odessa, where she became a charter member of Walker's Chapel Church of God in Christ (now Living Vision Ministries) under the Pastorage of the late Richard Walker and First Lady Elizabeth Walker. At Walker's Chapel, she taught the Card Class (children's Sunday school) for many years and was active in Young People willing Workers (YPWW) Bible Band, and Home and Foreign Mission.
Subsequently, Mother Johnson moved to Amarillo, serving under the Pastorage of elder Holmes, Elder Alvin Maxwell, and Elder Rupert Brashears. She continued serving faithfully and working in the axillaries of her local church. Subsequently she was appointed president of the Bible Band. Mother Johnson was also faithful in prayer. She particularly enjoyed meeting with the saints for "noon day prayer" at Holy Trinity Church of god in Christ. A devoted mother and friend, she spent countless days and nights praying for her family and others. Her hobbies included reading, writing letters, and sending cards to family and friends. Her great niece, Mrs. Kristin Hall said, "Aunt always sent us birthday cards or called us for our birthdays." She also enjoyed watching wrestling.
Mother Johnson was a superb employee and was hired as a cook when she was 8 years-old. She also cleaned doctors' offices and homes well into her 70s. After retiring from domestic work in 2000, Mother Johnson's eldest son Mr. Jimmy Lee Brooks, Sr and his wife, Mrs. Pauline Brooks persuaded her to returned to Odessa to live out the remainder of her golden years. She again served faithfully at Living Vision Ministries, under the pastorage of Elder James D. Porter and Co-Pastor Carolyn Porter until her health begin to decline. Mother Johnson loved attending church and would always say, "I'm going (to church) now, while I can. There may be a time when I'll want to go and can't."
An honored church mother, Mother Johnson received a 50-year service award from Living Vision Ministries on Mother's Day 2016. Additionally, she was very spoiled by Pastor Porter and Lady Porter. Although she couldn't drive, she had her own parking space with her name on it, and she also had a special assigned seat in the sanctuary. Like many others, her church family also doted on her; and she frequently engaged them in friendly skirmishes which she never lost. If she perceived that someone had missed during their "duty," she teasingly fired them, then re-hired them. Mother Johnson was also a favorite resident to the staff at the Madison Medical Resort. Although "Mama" loved her family, church family and many friends, if she has seen a glimpse of heaven, it is likely that she wouldn't want come back here.
Loved ones gone before her:
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Otto Proctor; sons: David Brooks and Raymond Z. Everett, Jr.; sisters: Ms. Eula Gray Proctor and Mrs. Mildred Louise Proctor Miller; eldest daughter: Mrs. Mavis Marie Brooks Jefferson; eldest grandson: Mr. Louis Vincent Sephus; five nieces, five nephews, and late husbands: Mr. L.B. Brooks, Mr. Raymond Z. Everett, Sr., and Mr. Edward Johnson.
Loved ones who remain to cherish her memory and continue her legacy:
Sister: Mrs. Liler Lucille Proctor Flax of Odessa; Sons: Mr. Jimmy Lee Brooks, Sr (Pauline) of Odessa; Mr. Samuel David Brooks (Hollis) of Fort Worth; Minister Donald Ray Everett (Brenda) of Odessa; and Mr. Paul Glynn Everett of Odessa; Daughters: Ms. Jeralyn Pshawn Brooks of Silver Springs, MD; and Ms. Elizabeth Lynn "Liz" Everett of Amarillo; Grandsons: Mr. Jimmy Lee Brooks Jr. (Michelle) of San Antonio; Mr. Tommy Lee Brooks of Odessa; Mr. Richard Dale Brooks of Seattle, WA; and Mr. David Breon Brooks of Fort Worth; Granddaughters; Ms. Carolyn Annette Jefferson of Sacaramento, CA; Ms. Africia Everett Moore of Lubbock; Mrs. LaVandra Green (James) of Dallas; Mrs. Dawn Everett Johnson (Tommy Johnson , Jr.) Midland; Ms. Donna Liza Deanna Everett of San Antonio; Mrs. Tantra T. Williams of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Faith M. Lee (George) of Oklahoma City; and Ms. Destiny Boxton of Lubbock; 29 great grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; 27 nephews; 23 nieces, sisters in-law; Mrs. Catherine Smith and Mrs. Dorothy Jean Everett-Smith both of Panama City, Fla., Mrs. Rina Everett of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Mrs. Jessie Pearl Everett of San Diego, CA .
The family of Mother Hester Elizer Proctor Johnson would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Madison Medical Resort staff; Medical Center 4 Central and ICU-CCU staff; attending physicians; and Star Hospice. Special thanks to: her sister Mrs. Liler Lucille Proctor Flax, nieces and nephews who sat with and visited her; Pastor James D. Porter, Co-pastor Carolyn Porter and the Living Vision Church family; Pastor William C. Fifer, Lady Yvonne Fifer, and the Holy Trinity Church of God In Christ family of Amarillo, TX, Bro. Kaven Smith who donated the arch in memory of Mother Johnson and his parents the late Amarillo District #1 Superintendent Carter V. Smith and Missionary Alice Smith Founders of Holy Trinity COGIC Amarillo, Texas and Amarillo District #1 Superindent Hubert Kelley, Lady Ola Mae Kelly and the members of Open Door Church of God In Christ, Pampa, TX; and Amarillo District #1 family.
Pallbearers: Mr. James Tinner; Mr. Louise Rose; Mr. Edward Williams, Sr., and nephews: Edward W. Flax, Sr., Edward Gipson, and Michael Miller
Honorary Pallbearers: Mr. Edward Williams Jr., Mr. Justin Hammond, Mr. Aaron Thomas, Mr. Barnett Johnson, Mr. TraDaveon Porter, Mr. Tamondriq Garnett, Deacon John Choyce, and others who helped her in and out of the car and church.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Martinez Funeral Home and Crematory 1040 S. Dixie Blvd Odessa, Texas 79761, Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens 6801 E. Business 20 Odessa, Texas 79762

Visitation

Visitation

Martinez Funeral Home Chapel
1040 S. Dixie Blvd
Odessa, TX  79761
Friday, June 10, 2016
12pm -9pm

Service

Wake

Martinez Funeral Home
1040 S Dixie Blvd
Odessa, TX  79761
Friday, June 10, 2016
7pm

Funeral Service

Living Vision Church Ministries
525 S Grandview
Odessa, TX  79761
Saturday, June 11, 2016
11am

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762