Irene Johnson

“If I go to the East, GOD is not there. If I go to the West, I do not see HIM. When HE is at work the in North, I catch no sign of Him. When He turns to the South, I cannot see HIM. But GOD knows the way I take and when HE has tested me, I will come forth as pure GOLD. (Job 23: 8-10)”

 Mother Arean “Irene” Johnson was born January 15, 1932 in Helena, Arkansas to Mary Ann Pillow and John Eugene Thomas, Jr. She was the third of eleven children born to this union. Mother Irene departed this earthly life peacefully surrounded by family on January 20, 2025, a mere five days after celebrating her 93rd birthday. She was the last surviving daughter and the Matriarch of the Pillow-Thomas Clan.

 Mother Irene accepted JESUS CHRIST as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age, and was baptized at the Paradise Baptist Church in Helena by the late Rev E.D. Jones. She later joined the Morning Grove Baptist Church in Lakeview, Arkansas under the leadership of the late Rev. W.B. Vasser Sr. There she served as President of the Usher Board. Mother Irene was blessed to be united in matrimony, and considered herself blessed to be called mother by three sons and six daughters. 

In 1978, after moving to Kansas City, the entire family became members of the Greater Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. A.J. Foster. Mother Johnson, as she was known, served in multiple capacities including starting the Sunbeams Children's Mission, Chaperone with the Youth Mission, Youth Education Department Mentor, Mission Society, kitchen duty, Sunday School, Devotional Leader, Opening Prayer Leader for Thursday Online Hour of Prayer Services, and Mother Board to name a few.

Mother Johnson was a homemaker and loved to work in her garden, which was often the size of a city block. She enjoyed fishing, canning, raising her chickens, and quilting. In 1991, Mother Johnson achieve her highest personal goal when she returned to school, receiving her GED at age 59.

Mother Johnson was preceded in rest by her parents John and Mary Thomas; her spouses: Cast Bell Sr., Eugene Oliver Jr., and Robert Johnson; her first-born son, Cast Bell Jr.; grandson Evan Johnson; great-granddaughter, Mytinae Anderson; her siblings: Annie Mae Thomas, Ruth Ella Harris, Marvella Thomas, Katherine Stevenson, Johnnie Mae Thomas, Bernella Cathy, Alfa Thomas, Geraldine Brown and John Thomas III.

Her memories and love will be forever cherished by her children: Freddie (Margie) Oliver; Arline (Ronald) Gause; Devora Oliver; Lorine Oliver; Ora Oliver; Dortha (Kevin) Riley; Eddie (Shelley) Johnson; and Mary Johnson; 24 Grandchildren, 50 Great-grandchildren, and 28 Great-Great Grandchildren; her only surviving sibling, Albert “Bill” (Celeste) Thomas; sister-in-law, brother-in-law; a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends; special nephew, Terry Thomas; special friends of the family: Barbara Ikerd, Karen Dickerson, and Bernard Harland; and her Greater Jerusalem Baptist Church Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irene Johnson, please visit our floral store.