Nietta Johnson's Obituary
Obituary
Nietta Dunn Johnson, the daughter of the late William Dunn and Francis Stewart, was born on February 13, 1940 in Kentucky where she was also educated. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Kentucky and nearby Ohio. At an early age, Nietta accepted Christ as her personal Savior.
In the1960’s as a student at the University of Kentucky, Nietta was active in the civil rights movement and was photographed sitting in the white section of a lunch counter with a look of staunch determination. She did this, even against the wishes of some people close to her, because of her deep belief in equal rights for all. Although the mainstream media did not want to give much publicity to the non-violent protest, her historic photo of civil rights activism with her arms crossed has probably been seen by a multitude of people all over the world.
Engaged and in love, Nietta met her betrothed Nathaniel Johnson who moved to Lexington, KY after graduating from Xavier University College of Pharmacy and became the first African American to practice at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington. When Nathaniel moved from the cold Kentucky weather to sunny California, Nietta joined him soon thereafter to become united in marriage on October 26, 1963. They enjoyed over 50 years of marriage with their lives filled with ups and downs and many years of happiness. They went to movies, concerts, restaurants and many other events where they would simply enjoy being together and around friends.
Together, Nietta and Nathaniel joined Second Baptist Church where they served as ushers and loved attending Sunday School. In 1987, Eternal Promise Baptist Church was organized and they both became members. Nietta continued her service faithfully as an usher, as well as the church secretary, financial secretary, and all-around office manager for whatever needed to be done.
There are many lives that Nietta touched with her kindness and warm smile. She frequently drove others to church and meetings, generously supported those in need, and graciously helped out in any way possible. Nietta took pride in decorating her home for holidays and loved to give and receive greeting cards.
After battling various health conditions, on April 5, 2021, while in the Kennedy Care Center in Los Angeles, Nietta was called home to rest in peace and be with her heavenly Father. Nietta was preceded in death by her husband Nathaniel. She leaves to mourn relatives, by blood and by marriage, including Cheryll Dunn, Vera January, Gwendolyn Weaver, Charles Dunn, Richard Dunn, Delores Dunn, Marilyn Render, Jerri Elmore, Tia McCoy, Rufus Monson, Hailey Monson, Bertha McCoy, as well as special friends Darlene Fields and Belinda McKinney and many other friends who loved her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Nietta Dunn Johnson for her contributions to civil rights activism to The Poor People’s Campaign, https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org.
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