Emma Isabelle "Belle" Johnson

Emma Isabelle “Belle” (Maxwell) Johnson, 96, though forever 39 at heart, passed away peacefully with her beloved family by her side on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Touchpoints of Farmington. She is now reunited in the arms of the Lord with her husband, Harold M. Johnson, Sr. and her son, Harold M. Johnson, Jr.

She is survived by her children, Gregory S. Henry and his wife, Liz; Stephanie Santos and her husband, Sylvestre, and Deborah Anderson; and her step son, Ernest Johnson.  Affectionately known as “Nana Grape” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she will be missed by R.J., Tony, Kevin, Jennifer (J.T.), Felicia, Harold, III., Isabelle, Sharelle, Dena, Scottie, Louie, Ernie, and Jennifer (J.J.), Anthony, Jr., (Deuce), Carter, Harper, K.J., and Eleni, and would have been filled with joy to meet one more great-grandchild on the way.  She was predeceased by her brothers, Sydney, George, Albert and Sam Maxwell and her sisters, Doris Hines and Hilda Massie; and her step-daughter, Jacqueline Lancelin; and leaves many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A proud native of the Bronx, she was born on February 25, 1923, the youngest and last surviving of seven children to the late Samuel and Mary (Fullwood) Maxwell, and was a 1942 graduate of Jamaica High School in Queens.  A telephone operator and later in her career, a training instructor, she worked for both New York Bell and S.N.E.T, from where she retired after more than 25 years of dedicated employment.  She raised her family in Plainville, taking great pride in the accomplishments and diversity of her children and grandchildren.  Belle was a crochet artist and expert baker and monkey bread maker, spoiling her family with blankets and treats that they all looked forward to each holiday, and passed along her baking skills to many of her family members for them to continue to enjoy.  A woman of great strength, independence and spunk, she leaves a legacy of love for her family and many precious memories and will be missed dearly.

In lieu of flowers, Belle may be remembered, and her family honored, with contributions to the Harold M. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at www.hmjscholarshipfoundation.org or to The Be Thoughtful Movement www.bethoughtfulmovement.org

Family and friends may gather in celebration of Belle’s life on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad St, Plainville.  Prayers and words of remembrance by the Reverend Shaw Mudge will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Belle will be laid to rest privately at the family’s convenience.  

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