We celebrate the life of a dynamic woman, Margaret J. Johnson, Born on October 8th 1934 as the second child of 7 and only daughter of Daniel and Bessie Cox. At the age of two, she and the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she spent most of her formative years. 

Margaret was a very self assured and confident person. As a young child, she was so confident that she once thought the annual parade (held close to her birthday) was in her honor. She informed her Nuns/teachers that she would no longer do the pledge of allegiance as there was no “liberty and justice for all”. This sense of compassion carried over into her adulthood. Margaret graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School and went on to achieve a teaching degree. She taught elementary school in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1954, Margaret married Gerald Johnson and produced 4 children (Karin, Gerald, Phillis, Traci), during that time she also pursued a singing career, which led to a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. Margaret also produced a record titled Trouble in Mind and was offered a singing contract to sing in Europe, yet she declined, not wanting to leave her children. Margaret was known as “the small lady with a big voice!” Margaret was also an excellent seamstress and fashionista, who sold many of her fine garments. It was apparent that she could make something out of nothing. Her children often joked she was helping Jesus when he fed 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes, because she knew how to stretch the food to feed the crowd. She was a true Steel Magnolia! 

Subsequently, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois where Margaret became one of the first head start teachers in the country. Margaret always believed children were a vocation as well as an advocation. Even still, as the marriage dissolved (and the youngest of her children was born), she used her time, resources and energy to mentor many youths including young gang members from the poverty stricken south side of Chicago. She used public transportation to take at-risk children to places such as the city museum and zoo, showing them culture, dignity and a sense of self worth. In 1965, Margaret obtained a job at Genesee Intermediate School District, in Flint Michigan, where she taught special education for several decades. During this time, Margaret mentored/parented many children allowing them to become a part of her family. 

Margaret had many talents such as; singing, drawing, sewing, jewelry making, decoupage, calligraphy, interior decorating, greeting cards, and gardening. Margaret was also published for her award winning poetry. Margaret had many talents, however music was closest to her heart. Margaret enjoyed and sang a wide array of music; including but not limited to: country, pop, rock, classical, musical, R&B, folk, opera and gospel. 

Margaret was a charismatic person who would walk in a room and command attention without a word. Her sense of humor was impeccable, it was hard not to laugh when she was around. Her heart was larger than life and she was loved and appreciated by so many. 

After living a life dedicated to serving God, Margaret was peacefully called home on Sunday August 31st. Her bright smile and warm personality will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. We will miss the sweet melodic tunes she hummed and rang out in her operatic voice. We will miss how she was forthcoming with advice to help others better their lives. We will miss how her laughter danced through the air and invited others to join in. And we will miss her very presence. Margaret leaves to cherish her, 3 daughters; Karin Johnson, Phillis Tidwell-Martin, and Traci Strickland, 3 brothers; Larry Cox, Daniel Cox II, and Phillip Cox; son-in-law Philbert Martin, 11 grandchildren; Phillip, Naquella, Mesh, Gerald III (BG), Danielle, Tyson, Olivia, Sabrina, Savannah, Kendal, and Jayden; 19 great grandchildren; Seth, Laxia, Phillip II, Devante, Alecia, Ashley, Austin, Adisyn, Demario, Aleya, Alayla, Daxton, Dylan, Devin, Dallas, Tyson II, Marquese, Carter, and Dupree; 2 great-great grandchildren; Mon’Yarah and Sy’Yara and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her son Gerald Raymond Johnson II, her parents Daniel and Bessie Cox, her 3 brothers, Lamar Cox, Stanley Cox, and Bobby Cox, and Sons-in-law: Robert Tidwell and Hollis Strickland.