Billye Ann Abraham Johnson, 89, of Little Rock, Ark., died peacefully at UAMS on June 10, 2023. She was born in Carlisle, Ark., on August 17, 1933 and moved to Little Rock, Ark. at age three. She graduated from Dunbar High School and Dunbar Junior College. She also attended Arkansas AM&N College and UALR. Billye worked as an educator and clerical worker for many years. She retired from Alltel Telephone Company.
Billye was a long-time member of First Missionary Baptist Church at 7th and Gaines. She later united with St. John Missionary Baptist Church where she participated in the Women’s Mission Society until her health failed.
She was also a past member of the Order of Eastern Star, PHA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Lynella Abraham and her sisters, Rosa Lloyd and Ivory Frances Brown.
Billye married Fred Johnson, Jr. Three children were born of this union. She leaves to cherish her memories, her children: Keith Johnson, of Lithonia, Ga.; Karen L. Johnson and Attorney Keena Wamble, of Little Rock, Ark. Grandchildren: Broderick Wamble of Memphis, Tenn.; Akita (Brian) Schimke and Venus Johnson of Sacramento, Calif.; Kellee Wamble of Mableton, Ga.; and Karlton Wade Wamble of Edmond, Okla. Seven great grandchildren: Brenden Wamble, Jordan Schimke, Kaila Wamble, Jazzmine Stillson, Mickayla Stillson, Valerie Stillson and Phoenix Skye Hudson. Two great-great grandchildren: Greyson Wamble and Shadia Wamble. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at the Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home Chapel, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. There will be a public viewing from 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2023. The final celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Interment to follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark. Funeral will be livestreamed on Ruffin & Jarrett’s Facebook page.
To the family, God gives us the gift of mothers to provide us nurturing, comfort, and support. God can still provide that for all of you now, but He’ll have to do it in a different way. I’ll continue to pray for you all to have comfort and support from God. Karen and Keena, it takes a special person to be a good mom, but it takes an even more special person to be the mom of great daughters like both of you. Both of you are proof of your mother’s great character.
My condolences goes to family for the lost of mother grandmother and Cousin , Let their be no tears in which she lived a beautiful and long life ,loved by many and know best that she’s well taken care of my she test in peace….Celebrate because she have made it to the promised land where’s there no more pain and no more suffering in Jesus name Amen…
Karen , you and family have my heartfelt sympathy and love.