Mattie Sue Johnson

Newburgh - Mattie Sue Johnson

Our beloved Mattie Sue Johnson, 91 of Newburgh, NY, passed away on May 20, 2021, surrounded by family.

Mattie was brought into this world on July 10, 1929 in Hudson, NY to Wilbur Cobbs and Portia Cunningham. Her formative years were spent on the family farm in Danville, VA.

Mattie married James Herbert Johnson (deceased) on March 17, 1960 and together they raised seven children. She dedicated her life to being a wife and mother, and a faithful servant of Jehovah. Sister Johnson was baptized July 16, 1960 in Washington DC. She always mentioned that day as the happiest of her life. She spent nearly 60 years as a member of the South Newburgh congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and was very active in her congregation, opening her home for bible studies and meetings for service. After retirement, she was an auxiliary pioneer for many years.

Mattie was known for her wit, sense of humor and sayings. Some of them including:
"Every shut eye ain't sleep; every goodbye ain't gone."
"Stop complaining with a loaf of bread under your arm!"
"If a bird had your brain it would fly backwards."
"You're alright, the world's all wrong."
"Close the door, we don't live in a barn!"
"Excuse me Mr. Pistol, I didn't know you were loaded."
"What you don't know can make a whole other world."

Mattie was a phenomenal woman. She put Jehovah first; she loved her family; she loved her spiritual brothers and sisters. She was a quiet teacher; she was self-sacrificing; she was determined and she was steadfast.

She is predeceased by her parents, guardian Mary Louise Van Dyke (Aunt Lou), brothers Ivey, Addison and Thomas Cunningham and sisters Grace Lee Williams, Louise Cunningham, Catherine Brown, and Frances Cobbs, a number of brothers- and sisters-in-law, sons-in-law Juan L. Canizares and Courtland Hankins, Jr, one grandchild and four great-grandchildren.


She leaves in mourning her brother John Cobbs and sister Margie Cunningham, Daughters; Portia Given, Olga Cobbs, Peggy Cobbs, Delores Canizares-James (Rohan) and Doris Hankins, Sons James Cobbs (Jo'ann) and John Johnson, 17 Grandchildren, 30 Great-Grandchildren, 5 Great-Great-Grandchildren and a host of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. She also leaves her special Niece Carlene Cobbs, her third Son (son-in-law) Nelce Given and her sixth Daughter (daughter-in-law), Debra Johnson.