Bertha Maxine Johnson

Bertha “Maxine” Johnson was a woman who lived her life to love others even from her earliest days. She was kind, compassionate, and always put the needs of others ahead of her own. It was easy to see that Maxine’s grandchildren were the apple of her eye and her greatest source of joy as well. She was bubbly and outgoing, and loved socializing with her friends. Although life was not without hardship for Maxine, she continued to put one foot in front of the other while never losing that special spark that made her such an extraordinary woman.

As the 1920s dawned, things were looking good in America on nearly all fronts. Business was booming, ingenuity was moving the nation forward, and the spirit of America was alive and well. Often called the “Roaring Twenties,” it was during this time that people enjoyed jazz music, dances like the Charleston and the Shimmy were all the rage, and women’s fashion combined long skirts and tops while nearly all hair was hidden underneath a cloche hat. It was on February 2, 1920 that Maxey and Ruth (Tubbs) Adams welcomed the birth of their daughter, Bertha, in Micanopy, Florida. Bertha, who was most often called Maxine, was the second oldest of seven children in her family including four brothers and two sisters. While she was still quite young, Maxine’s family relocated to Michigan where she was raised on the family farm in St. Johns. Her father worked at Fisher Body in Lansing while her mother was a homemaker who cared for their active family. Maxine attended school thru the 12th grade at Grove School, a one room schoolhouse located in rural St. Johns. As a young girl Maxine loved the outdoors, was quiet and reserved, and was extremely close to her parents and siblings. It would be this love for family that would follow her throughout the rest of her life.

Big changes were in store for Maxine when she met and later married Bud Griffith when she was 20 years old. Although they divorced after four years of marriage, they were blessed with the birth of their son Butch in July of 1941. Once her divorce was final, Maxine and Butch moved to Ionia to live with her parents.

Brighter days were on the horizon when Maxine attended a dance in Owosso in 1946. It was there that she met the man who would forever change the course of her life. His name was Charles Johnson and after dating for a time, the couple was married on September 16, 1947. The newlyweds settled into a home on Balcom Road in Ovid where they began their lives together as a family. Charles worked as a mechanic in order to support his family which grew to include their son Dale. Maxine was an attentive mother who took great pride in caring for her family. She and Charles enjoyed spending time together, often dancing with their friends. Tragedy struck in the lives of Maxine and Charles when their son Dale was killed in an automobile accident in 1971. Although the days that followed were understandably difficult, Maxine continued on while drawing strength from the family she cherished.

Family always played an important role in Maxine’s life. When her family grew to include grandchildren, nothing could have filled her with more happiness. Maxine took every opportunity she could to spoil them and she helped look after them as often as she could. It was easy to see that each and every grandchild was the apple of her eye. It was the joy she found in her family that helped her persevere during the days that followed the death of her husband in 1981.

Although much of her time was spent caring for her family, Maxine did enjoy a few other interests as well. She was a huge Elvis fan and loved being social. Later in life Maxine enjoyed going to the Owosso Senior Center and participating in a variety of activities they offered. She attended picnics, played Bingo, and made ceramics for her family.

In 2006, Maxine’s health began to decline after she became ill with pneumonia. Then in 2009 she fell and hit her head, and also developed pneumonia at the same time. Maxine was transferred to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor in St. Johns where she was blessed to have family members on staff. Although she received excellent care, she was never able to recover and drew her last breath surrounded by her loving family.

Bertha “Maxine” Johnson was a caring and loving woman who treasured her family above everything else in her life. She was generous even as a young girl, and loved spoiling her grandchildren. Maxine had such a warm demeanor that it was easy to see why she was liked by everyone she met. She loved being social and having fun with her friends. Maxine leaves behind a colorful tapestry of memories that will be forever treasured by those she leaves behind. She will be dearly missed.

Bertha "Maxine" Johnson died on November 11, 2009. Maxine’s family includes her son Butch (Lee) Griffith of Perry, MI, 7 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and sister, Faye Reeves. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Charles Johnson, son Dale Johnson, 4 brothers, and 1 sister. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes in Ovid with Pastor Steve Brown officiating, burial at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, or sign the online guestbook.