Mertha Ruth Johnson

Mertha Ruth Brown Johnson was born on October 10, 1934 in Jackson, Mississippi to the late Reverend O.D. Brown and Mrs. Katie Mae (Odom) Brown. She was the oldest of 8 siblings. EDUCATION Undergraduate Degree in History - Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi Master’s Degree in Public Administration - University of San Francisco Master’s Degree of Arts in Secondary Education - University of San Francisco She moved to Chicago in 1961 and taught in the Chicago Public School System. During her tenure, she met and fell in love with Henry O. Johnson. They married in 1962 and from this union, they had a daughter, Victoria M. (Johnson) Conner. Mertha taught in East Chicago, Indiana from 1962 – 1970. Mertha and Hank moved to California in 1970. She taught at Menlo-Atherton High School, Menlo Park, California from 1971 to 1973. Furthermore, she taught at San Mateo High School, San Mateo, California from 1973 – 1984. Additionally, she taught at Mills High School, Millbrae, California from 1984-1986. Mertha moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1986 to continue her teaching career. She taught at Northside High School, Grady High School, Booker T. Washington High School and Harper/Archer High School. After 39 years of teaching, she retired on May 30, 2001. In all her years of teaching, she loved working with children and shaping and nurturing young minds. Her educational philosophy: “I believe with Freire that education should empower students with self-awareness that dictates a sense of cultural awareness, which allows for dialectic flow of ideas. Education is never neutral, it either fosters liberation of the self or the continued domination of the individual.”. During her retirement, she spent time as a Docent for the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. She also enjoyed reading (Extensive Library) and writing poetry, singing, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with her family. She was also an avid collector of artwork (Paintings) with an extensive collection from various artist. Mertha received many achievements and awards throughout the years. 1988 Oak Tree Award Winner and Teacher of the Year (only 10 teachers being selected across the US per year). 1990 Edition “Who’ Who Among the World’s Women”, 1995 National Endowment for Humanities Fellowship. 1997/1998 “Who’s Who Among Black Americans”, Mertha was a loving and devoted Mother that cared deeply about her family. She was a stellar example of integrity and loyalty and always did her best to help and assist in any way that she could. Those who knew and loved Mertha will forever remember that she was a kind, loving and generous person. Mertha touched so many lives in so many ways and will truly be missed. She leaves to cherish in memory her Daughter, Victoria M. Conner, Son-In-Law Dudley Conner Jr and Grandson, Christopher Jorel Conner and her sisters Christine Brown, Mildred Brown and a host of Nephews, Nieces, and friends.

Tributes

Mertha Ruth Johnson

October 10, 1934 - January 28, 2021