Mamie Johnson was born to Harvey Johnson in North Carolina. She was a schoolteacher and lived with her parents.
Mamie became involved with a young man (Lou Green), and became pregnant. Her father became furious when he found out, and she had to leave home. She went to live near her Uncle Benjamin Sr. and Aunt Mary Jane Johnson.
Mamie gave birth to a baby girl, whom she named Willard. At that time Benjamin Johnson Sr. was deceased. Mamie gave Willard to her Aunt Mary Jane Johnson in 1920. Mary Jane raised Willard along with the rest of her children.
It is unknown why Mamie chose her Aunt Mary Jane to be Willard’s mother. After Mamie gave birth to her daughter, she left Edgecombe County and it is not known what became of her.
Willard passed away in 2013, the last of the Johnson children.
*Note: Harvey Johnson was Willard Johnson’s grandfather and Benjamin Johnson was her great uncle. Harvey and Benjamin were of Native American descent.
The picture of Willard and Mary Jane was taken at the home of the late Benjamin Sr. and Mary Jane Johnson. The year was probably around 1925 or 1926. The location was a small area called “By George”, which was located near Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Picture was submitted by: Zenobia Coker