Pauline Hearn Johnson

LIFE REFLECTIONS

Pauline Hearn Johnson was born December 3, 1938, in Clark County Arkansas, to the late Ben and Amie [Helm] Hearn. 

She attended Richmond Hill Elementary School and graduated from Peake High School in Arkansas. She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and joined Richmond Hill A.M.E. Church in Arkansas. 

In 1958, Pauline moved to Chicago and joined Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church under the pastorage of the late Presiding Elder Maurice Higginbothan. She joined the Young Adult Ushers Board and later became the Supervisor. She was a member of the Dora E. Rose Missionary Society, and held the office of Vice President. She was also a Class Leader, attended and taught Sunday School and served on the Stewardess Board. 

In 1963, Pauline met the late Ernest L. Johnson at Mt. Olive and was joined in holy matrimony on September 11, 1965. To this union, three children were born; one died upon birth. In 1969, Pauline received a special blessing: she became a born again Christian and became filled with the precious Holy Ghost and started living entirely for the Lord! She was a member of the Chicago Unit Ushers League and served as Assistant Supervisor from 1981-1983. She also served as Chicago Conference Branch Creative Arts Chairperson from 1988-1991. 

In 1993, she became a Torch Lighter at the Chicago Annual Conference. In 2009 The Johnsons became members of Greater Institutional A.M.E. Church where she became a member of the Penny L. Myrick Missionary Society.

Pauline was a caregiver to family and friends her entire life, continuously busy trying to improve the quality of life for others. She would visit the nursing homes, distribute clothing, feed patients, distribute fruit and pray with the sick. She loved helping and caring for the sick and shut-in. She was also active in her community as a member of the 8300 Peoria Block Club beginning 1970 for over twenty years. Pauline was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) in 1976 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and became a member of Universal Evergreen Verbena Chapter No. 192 O.E.S. – Prince Hall Affiliation. 

Pauline was employed by the Five and Dime, Vitos, Joann Fabrics, Marshall Field’s and Madigan’s. She also taught Head Start at St. Carthage Catholic School and was a tax preparer for H&R Block. Using her talents, as a crafter and seamstress, she made tissue boxes, men’s ties, handkerchiefs and beautiful dolls with gowns and headdresses and girls prom and date dance dresses. True to her heart was vendoring at local and out of town festivals and A.M.E., COGIC and Baptist Congress church conferences.

Pauline departed this life to enter eternal rest on Thursday, July 17, 2025. She leaves to cherish her homegoing two daughters, Cilicia Ann (Larry Stubbs) Johnson of Chicago and Luctricia Marie Johnson of Charlotte, NC; one brother, James Benjamin (Gwendolyn) Hearn of Chicago; one sister, Brenda (Henry) McClain of Lynwood, CA and two brothers-in-law, McHenry (Dorothy) Johnson of Louisville, KY and Paul Johnson of Indianapolis, IN and many more relatives, friends and loved ones, including God-sister Cheryl and special friends Connie, Deloris and Doris.   

Pauline was preceded in death by both parents, a child, her husband and two sisters, Georgia E. Hill and Mildred N. Lloyd.

Submitted by the Family