First, giving honor to God who is (even in death) the head of my life. To my children, I will always love you because you were the absolute best part of my life. To the rest of my sweet, loving, and devoted family, faithful friends and colleagues, THANK YOU to each and every one of you for every single thing you provided along the way including laughs, hugs, and so much love.

For those who didn't know me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mineola Finks Johnson. I was born on February 9, 1949, to Laura Mae McJunkins Wells of Eufaula, Oklahoma, and James W. (Jim) Long (Finks) of Texas. Worth McJunkins and Mary A. Hutton McJunkins were my mother's parents and Jane Long was my dad's mother who was married to George Long. My grandpa, Worth McJunkins, named me "Minnie Ola," but that name was registered as "Mineola" to satisfy legal needs. My Aunt Janie gave me the nickname "Miss Ann" because of my antics as a child. Most who knew me simply called me "Ann." I am the tenth of eleven siblings. They are Walter W. (Jr.) Kizzie, the late Catherine Wells, Mary Ann Wells Cunningham, Laura Mae Wells Dawes, Charles David Wells, the late Arthur Lee Wells, Wallace Williams Finks, the late Jack Long, the late Nellie Long, and the late Estella Long. I joined New Hope Huttonville Baptist Church at the age of ten and have been a member since then. This church was founded by my grandfather, five generations removed, 157 years ago in 1865.

I attended school at Huttonville School, Booker T. Washington, and Eufaula Junior and Senior High Schools. I received an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Connors State College and a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University.

I married Walter Cornelius Johnson in 1966 and gave birth to three children, Walter C. Johnson, Jr., (Skip), Wallace Antwon Johnson (Tony), and Mary Jane Johnson (Angel). My son, Tony, passed in 1974 from cancer. I taught school for 22 years with the Oklahoma City public school district, one year at John Adams Elementary, one year at Willow Brook Elementary, and 20 years at Eugene Field Elementary.

I have six grandchildren, Kevin Salazar, Zachary Mares, Naomi Mares, Lamar Williams, Jamar Williams, and Landon Williams, and three great- grandchildren, Catalina Mares, Zuriel Mares, and Matthew Williams, all whom I love very much!

I was a member of the Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Club for over 45 years and served in all offices except State President. Additionally, I established the Entre Nous Youth Club for local girls. Other affiliations include Order of the Eastern Star (OES), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association (BTWAA). Finally, I created the 49'ers Club, a subgroup of BTWAA. Most of my life was spent in service to others, endeavoring to help mold young minds and uplift those that were downtrodden. I won many awards over the years including Who's Who Among Elementary Teachers and STARBASE America. The awards and accolades were indeed proud moments but pale in comparison to my greatest accomplishment, my three children... and my greatest love, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So don't mourn for me as my journey is finished now. My job here is done, and I am now resting at peace in the company of the angels and my Lord. For those I leave behind... when you think of me, remember the good times and not the bad and please... don't be sad. Just focus on all the great, down-home fun that I know we ALL had!

Ms. Mineola Finks Johnson, in her 73rd year, passed from labor to reward on Monday morning, October 31, 2022 from Eufaula, Oklahoma.

Left to cherish my memories are one son, Walter (Pennie) C. Johnson, Jr.; two grandchildren, Zachary (Paola) Mares and Naomi Mares; two great-grandchildren, Catalina Mares and Zuriel Mares; one daughter, Mary (Efrem) Williams; three grandchildren, Lamar Williams, Jamar Williams, and Landon Williams; one great-grandson, Matthew Williams; three brothers, Walter (Jean) Kizzie, Charles Wells, and Wallace (Sharon) Finks; three sisters, Laura Dawes, Mary Cunningham, and Pearl Samuels; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The Hour of Remembrance for Ms. Johnson will commence on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Tenth Hour in the New Hope Baptist Church Huttonville.

You may visit her as she rest in sweet slumber on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM in The People's Chapel of Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc.,-Muskogee.

The Christian Committal will immediately follow the services in the Huttonville Cemetery near Eufaula, Oklahoma.