Hattie Marie (Yelling) Johnson, 88, passed peacefully Thursday morning, Jan. 5, 2024, at a local nursing facility. She was a native of Mobile, Alabama and a long-time resident of Fairhope, Alabama. Surviving her are daughters Kim (Creston) Washington and Katrina Williams (Raymond Bilbo), and son Elrick (Grenda) Johnson. She was predeceased by sons, Walter Earl Johnson, Jr. and Kenneth Earl Johnson and former husband, Walter Earl Johnson, Sr. Also left to cherish her memory are 11 grandchildren; Andrea (Eric) Johnson, Creston Rashad Washington, Corey (Nicole) Johnson, Travis Johnson, Mia McGriff, Dane Johnson, Elrick Brock Johnson, Nicholas (Kia) Johnson, Derrick (Nicketta) Williams, Krystal Williams and Kendrick Williams; 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; Sisters; Grace Y. Wyatt and Carolyn Y. Davis; Goddaughter, Monica Lynn Williams and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Hattie was born in Atmore, Alabama to Eunice and Alonzo Yelling, Sr., the 4th of 9 children. She was a 1952 graduate of Central High School in Mobile, Alabama. Her occupations included Day Care Owner/Operator and Domestic Housekeeping. She was employed with the Head Start Programs in Daphne/Monroeville Alabama for 25 years. While there she obtained promotions from In-Kind Coordinator to Social Services Director to Executive Director before retirement. She was a faithful member of Lebanon Chapel A.M.E. Church for many years where she served as a choir soloist/member and community advocate. She was known for her beautiful singing voice, cooking, decorating and design skills and her flare for dress. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends, playing board games, watching Jeopardy, garage sales, thrift shopping and crossword puzzles. She fiercely challenged her memory loss for 13 years, always believing she could do for herself. When her memory began to fade, she would say, “Getting old may be a blessing, but it sho ain’t no fun!” Her will to be independent never left her in spirit and she fought until Jesus reached out his hand for her. A viewing will be held Fri., Jan. 12, 2024, at Wolfe- Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Sat., Jan. 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Chapel, 19698 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL. 36532. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Fairhope, 19250 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL. 36532. In lieu of customary remembrances, please make donations to Fairhope Health and Rehab, 108 S. Church St., Fairhope, AL. 36532.
