Orangetta Harriet (Howard) Johnson

Born on January 4, 1950 in Forkland(Greene County), Alabama, the daughter of Orange Harris and Viola Howard, she was named Orangetta.  She was a strong believer in God and cherished the church community.  She became a member of Doug Hill Baptist Church.  As a child she was always friendly and outspoken. As a teenager she became a "Foot Soldier" in the Civil Rights Movement. And like her Mother, she too was very involved in helping others. It didn't matter what age, background or lifestyle...Everyone was always welcomed. She offered anyone food, clothes and shelter. She always left her doors open. Literally, anyone could walk in and out as they wished. Gatherings were always held at her home for family and friends. Some stopped by on a daily basis. She loved shopping, dancing, traveling, family, friends and "Jamaican me happy." But most of all, she loved her Independence. She always wanted to be the Caregiver not the receiver. 

She started her family at a young age so she became a housewife early on. However, that wasn't a part of her goal in life. In 1986, she relocated to Houston, Texas where she later graduated from North Harris County College.  Her Christian fellowship included attending Greenspoint Baptist Church and New Light Christian Center Church.  She went on to become an Entrepreneur for many years.  In 1997 she obtained a United States Postal Service contract, and moved to Burton, Texas. She went on to work for the State of Texas finally retiring at the Brenham State School. Though she retired, she never stopped working. 

Orangetta united with Hollow Spring Baptist Church under Pastor Herman Parks and later Pastor Michael McClain.  She held numerous events, some prior to moving to Texas. She even managed to get David Mann(Actor) "Meet the Browns" to host one of her events in Burton, Texas. She helped families in Burton to get the water system and often spoke up for the community. Everywhere she went she stood up for people. She believed in fairness. She never looked down on anyone. 

She spent her entire life advocating for others in one form or another. Often giving her last to help someone that needed more than she did. Everyone was family to her as she never met a stranger. And she never backed down once she stood for something. She was a force to be reckoned with. And if there were a "Well-Done" award for life she would truly be a recipient. 

She is preceded in death by:  her siblings, Johnnie Stallings, Melvin Howard, James Howard, Ora Lee Cook and Carrie Leviston; and grandson, Patrick W. Johnson, Jr.

Left to cherish her memories are: two siblings, Emma Stewart(Hugh) and Orange Howard; her children, Willie Dewayne Howard(Rose Marie), Lawanda Lee Johnson(Kevin), Lee Roy Johnson, James Lee Johnson and Angelia King(Christopher); grandchildren,  Breeana Briner, Sean Johnson, Chanel Thornton, Alicia R. Johnson, Josh Toliver, Tekiyo Toliver, Alexis Johnson, Kristen Johnson, Brandon King(Marisa), Christopher King Jr. and Alayah King; great grandchildren, Chloe Balbino, Paris Russell, Rajsaun Thompson, Isaih Toliver, Jalni Toliver and Jonah Toliver; nieces and nephews,  Willie Wright(Allison), Marlowe Maurice Wright(April), Nicole Smith(Patrick), Leyette Howard, Linda Howard, Sirmetrius Howard, Hubbard Howard, Margie Howard, Carlos Howard, Latasha Howard, Lisa Howard, Sean Howard, Carl Jackson, Kenneth Jackson, Gonzalez Daniels, Berlie Daniels, Lillian Daniels, David Daniels, Benny Stallings, Dewyne Stewart(Marie), Katrina Stewart(Timothy), Rico Stewart, Carl Stewart(Deidra), Gertrieda Stewart and Concetta Stewart(Curtis); and a host of great neices, great nephews, cousins and friends.

Orangetta Howard Johnson's Role in Black History

In 1965, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, at the age of 14 years old she was very active in the Civil Rights Movement in Demopolis. Alabama. Because her mother, Viola Williams Howard, had provided Dr, Martin Luther King with a Safe House, when he was in town and the Freedom Fighters with a place to stay, food and a safe house, she was targeted by the Demopolis Police. Whenever they would see her on the streets or at a meeting, they would take her to jail. 

This did not stop her from participating in the Mass Meeting and protest. She along with several young children from Demopolis, including Freddie Mitchell (get a copy of his Book, The Lost Foot Soldiers, it will give you a listing of the other participants) went to Selma to participate in the walk from Selma to participate in the walk from Selma to Montgomery. When they lined up Orangetta was paired with a blind man for the walk! One day after she returned from Montgomery, the police stopped her and told her she was being arrested for robbing a grocery store. 

This was the same grocery store that had been boycotted by the Blacks in town. Understand that this was a teenager, she was told that if she cooperated and admitted to the crime she would go home. If she didn't cooperate she would regret it. So she cooperated and they locked her up. Her mother did everything she could to gain the freedom of her child to no avail. They sentenced a 14 year old child to one year and a day at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for women in Wetumpka, Alabama. Freedom was not free.

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