Geraldine (Johnson) Paine

Life Reflections

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”  Proverbs 31:31

Geraldine Johnson was born on May 11, 1940 to the union of Booker T. Sr. and Pinkie (Glass) Johnson in Clarendon, Arkansas.  Both parents; two sisters, Nearlean and Willie Jean; three brothers, Ulysses, James and Booker Jr., all preceded her in death.

Geraldine was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend.  She put family above all else, a value she would instill in her two sons.  Geraldine received her education in the Holly Grove Public School System of Arkansas.  Geraldine professed her faith in Christ and was baptized at an early age.  She was a dedicated Christian and worshipped at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Herrie Pullum for most of her adulthood.  She loved to sing and was a longtime member of the church choir.  She could often be heard humming the song “If you hear of my homegoing, don’t worry about me”.  Later she joined Greater Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Napoleon Bryant, Sr. 

Geraldine was an elegant, well-dressed woman who took great pride in her fashionable collection of outfits and hats for all occasions.  She also enjoyed cooking and baking, often swapping (reluctantly at times) her amazing dessert recipes with friends and family.  For many years she would make her boys their favorite cake- German Chocolate for “Kenny”, and Chocolate for “Junior”- on each birthday well into their adult years.  She received the absolute greatest joy from her four grandchildren, whom she was so very proud and blessed to see grow up, graduate college, and become young adults.

Geraldine was united in Holy Matrimony to James Thomas Paine, Sr. in 1973, and they celebrated 38 years of marriage together; James preceded her in death in 2011.

Geraldine leaves to cherish her precious memory:  two sons, Kenneth (Traci) of Boston, MA and James Jr. of New York, NY; daughter in-law, Marissa Paine of Nashville, TN; four grandchildren, Jordan, Jewell, Aaron, and Joshua; three sisters, Reaster Williams, Earlean Matthews and Mary Jones; three brothers, Walter Johnson, Eddie (Rose) Johnson and Louis (Gloria) Johnson, all of St. Louis, Missouri; four sisters in-law, Mary Bellamy, Jane Graves, Sarah Paine, and Mary Helen Kirkland; one brother in-law, Jessie (Cheryl) Paine, all of St. Louis, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and church members.

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