Betty Johnson

Service will be live streamed on S.L. McLaughlin Funeral  Facebook page at 11am.

On Friday, May 13, 2022, an angel of the Lord whispered into the ear of Betty L. Johnson, “It is finished and time for you to take your rest”, and at 10:10 pm, Betty gained her wings. 

Betty Lou Wallace (affectionately known as Bellou) was born to Vella Buchanan and George W. Wallace on December 11, 1947in Tupelo, Mississippi. At the age of 8, Betty relocated to Albany, NY with her mother, sister Bonnie Sue, and brother Willie Roger. 

Betty became a member of the Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend John B. Holmes. She joined the choir and was quite the songbird. Although Betty was an alto, she could have easily sang in the soprano section as well. Betty loved to sing and was fond of Gospel music. She often shared the story of she and her cousins forming a girl group. Also, she was briefly a backup singer for the band, I.O.U. (Illustration of Unity).

On April 30, 1966, Betty married the love of her life, Lloyd Johnson, with whom she shared the same birth date and birth year. To this union, 4 children (her pride and joy) were born: Dawn Michele, Lloyd Jr., Corey Darnell, and Shawn. She was a devoted wife and mother who kept a clean spotless home without so much as a speck of lint of the floor. She was a good cook and was best known for her fried chicken, apple pie, chocolate cake with cream filling, cream cheese pound cake, jambalaya, and skillet-sized pancakes. 

Betty was educated by the Albany School District. She graduated Albany High School in 1966. Throughout her years as a dutiful wife and an amazing stay-at-home mom, Betty held several positions. She was a Secretary at the CDPC Methadone Clinic, a Clerk at the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, and a Mail Handler for the United States Postal Service (USPS). She retired from the USPS after 15 years in 2008. Because of her determination, Betty managed to also successfully complete the rigorous Corrections Officer Training with ease. Also, she obtained a Paralegal degree. During her retirement, Betty became a Crossing Guard. 

Betty had many great attributes. She was loving, kind, compassionate, peaceful, thoughtful, giving, caring, shy, classy, intelligent, trustworthy, beautiful, and God-fearing. She was quite the diva too. Betty was known for always being “dressed-up” with her hair and makeup done on a daily basis, even if she had no place to go. Once, someone mentioned that they witnessed a woman with high heels on crossing the kids. The woman was dressed from head to toe. We were like, “Oh, that’s our mother.” Even during her illness, she’d muster enough strength to look her best no matter what the day would bring. She would always tell us, “I’m not going anywhere looking like a hag.”

Betty was a devoted fan of Aretha Franklin and Shirley Caesar. She really loved her some Aretha and Shirley and would play their music all day everyday. She was also a fan of Betty Boop, the cartoon character. She once owned a Betty Boop steering wheel cover and car seat covers. She said she was riding in style. Some of her favorite past times included watching TV shows like Dr. Pimple Popper, My 600 lb Life, Honey Boo Boo, My Feet Are Killing Me, Little People, Alaskan Bush People, and any scary movie she could find. She also enjoyed watching Gospel DVDs and fishing shows. She loved to keep her mind crisp by doing the word jumbles and crossword puzzles in the Times Union newspaper. She was very sharp and could answer almost all of the questions on the gameshow, Jeopardy!

Betty had a close bond with each of her children. She loved her daughter Dawn because of their close-knit relationship and their dedication to each other. She loved her son Lloyd Jr. because he was kind and mild-mannered. She loved her son Corey because he was her protector and safe place. She admired his wisdom, bravery, spunk, and sense of humor. She loved her son Shawn because he was her baby and had a similar quiet personality. She would always call him her good luck charm. Betty was an admired grandma of Lloyd III, Ariel, Akai, Corisha, Keeria, Corey, Jamia, Nadia, Messiah Sr., Janiah, Shawn John, Shawn Nemir, ReiAnna, Jakai, and Logan. She was blessed to see 11 great-grandchildren. 

Betty had special bonds with many family members, but none as special as the bond with sister Bonnie Sue and her granddaughter Nadia. Betty was a devoted daughter to her mother Vella. It was her most significant role. She loved her mother with all of her heart and took good care of her. Betty will be remembered best as a diva and will forever be known for her classy nature. She will be sorely missed by many. 

Betty will be greeted by those who predeceased her: Husband Lloyd Johnson Sr., son Lloyd Johnson Jr., brother Willie Roger Wallace, sister Bonnie Sue Sturdivant, special cousin JoAnn Buchanan, stepfather Bennie Nelson, sister-in-law Linda F. Davis, son-in-law Brian E. Durr, and father George W. Wallace. She was also predeceased by brothers Henry Lee, Alonzo and Bobby Wallace, Bishop Rudolph Stanfield, and sisters Dorothy Listenbee and Ida Wallace. 

Those left to cherish her memory:

Mother: Vella Nelson

Children: Dawn Durr, Corey Johnson Sr. (Rakeya), and Shawn Johnson Sr. (Robin)

Grandchildren: Lloyd Johnson III, Ariel Johnson, Akai Hall, Corisha Johnson (Amin), Keeria Johnson, Corey Johnson Jr. (Yeleina), Jamia Johnson (Samuel), Nadia Jaggernauth (Randy), Messiah Lynn Sr., Janiah Johnson, Shawn John Kannamore, Shawn Nemir Johnson, Logan Johnson, ReiAnna Johnson, and Jakai Arrington. 

Great-Grandchildren: Saniyah, Joseph, Noah, Tyler, Nima, Pride, Armor, Catalina, El’Lyonn, El’lagance, and Messiah Jr. 

Aunt: Catherine Buchanan, Sister-in-Laws: Samantha F. Rowell, Janice F. Rowell, Lillian Stanfield, Brother-in-Law: Steven V. Rowell, and Daughter-in-Law: Marla M. Chestnut. 

Siblings: Willie Ray Wallace (Ruby), Loretta Guido, Gloria Marble, Evelyn Taylor (Aaron), Barbara Ann Wallace, and Julia Marble.

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