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Remembering Minnie E. Johnson Wiley
October 24, 2020
One of our Oldest Members and Alumni
Mrs. Minnie Esther Johnson Wiley, the fourth and youngest child of the late Jefferson Arnold Johnson and the late Ruby Thornton Johnson, was born Thursday, November 20, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As the last to be born, she left this earthly life in the same order of her older siblings who preceded her: Luvetia Johnson Williams, Horace Johnson, and Styrling Alma “Baby” Johnson Brown. On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, God called Minnie Esther home to reunite with her parents, siblings and her husband of 33 years, Wilbur Wiley, and her youngest daughter Wilma Marie Wiley.
Minnie’s education began in the Chattanooga School System where she attended Roland Hayes, Orchard Knob Junior High and graduated from Howard High School, home of the Hustlin’ Tigers, in 1948. After high school, she completed a two-year program at Morristown College in Morristown, Tn. with Veterans Administration benefits she received after the death of her father, Jefferson. While at Morristown, she was a work study student, employed in the school’s cafeteria under the supervision of Ms. Rippetoe and Ms. Downs. In 1952, she returned to Chattanooga and married Wilbur and worked as a maid at F.W. Woolworth Co. and Lovemans department store. Their family grew with the birth of their daughters Deborah and Wilma. Like a Proverbs 31 woman, Minnie saw that her trading was profitable. For many years, she would sit at Woolworth’s on the Saturday before Easter with her eye on two Easter baskets -- waiting for the store’s last-minute markdowns -- so she could afford to purchase them for her daughters. As the woman who grasped the spindle with her fingers, Minnie was a dedicated seamstress who would stay up all night on those same Easter weekends to finish the special dresses for Deborah and Wilma to wear to church on Sunday morning. As a young woman, Minnie set about her work vigorously and did not let her occupations define her or deter her dreams. She, too, was clothed in strength and dignity and could laugh at the days to come. Some of those laughs and joys came from trying on fur coats in Lovemans' cold storage vault after store hours!
Mrs. Wiley wanted to be an educator and knew that she would have to complete her college degree. She enrolled at Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State University (now Tennessee State University) in Nashville, Tn. and traveled each week to take classes full-time and live in Hale Hall dormitory. Minnie often heard a freshman in the dorm constantly playing piano and singing a song that would make her the first woman to chart a Top 10 Billboard hit -- that student was Carla Thomas and her tune was “Gee Whiz.” Deborah recalls how she and her sister would stand in the doorway and cry each and every Monday morning when their mother left with Mrs. Ruth Millener and Mrs. Avis Kirby for Nashville. Those tears of sadness were replaced with gladness when she returned on Fridays. Minnie rarely returned home empty-handed. She would ask the college librarian for the Betsy McCall paper doll from issues of McCall’s magazines so she could give them to her girls. Minnie Esther would sometimes treat her daughters to a hamburger dinner at what Deborah remembered as “a classy restaurant where the waiters were dressed in white jackets and served patrons with crisp, white towels draped over their arms.” Yes, Minnie enjoyed traveling so much that they would drive to the black-owned Deborsh’s Restaurant on 40th street in Nashville for their hamburgers and return home the same day!
While at TSU, Minnie enjoyed student teaching at Ford Green Elementary School before graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Back home in Chattanooga, Mrs. Wiley taught in Hamilton County at Roland Hayes, Booker T. Washington and Hillcrest Schools. She usually taught 4th and 5th grades. While at Booker T., she taught the girls how to wrap ribbons around the maypole for the annual May Day celebrations.
Minnie’s retirement gave her the opportunity to continue many of her joys that began during her working years. She loved the Lord and her church fellowship. She was a charter member of Washington Hills United Methodist Church which was established in 1969. Later, Mrs. Wiley joined St. John United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, taught Vacation Bible School and never wanted to miss the teachings, fellowship and coffee in the Joy Sunday School Class.
She was always active and enjoyed her involvement with the Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association, the TSU Alumni Association, and the Morristown College Reunion of the Ages. In 1972, she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (Gamma Iota Zeta chapter) of which she had served as chapter president and loved working with the triennial Blue Revue fundraising programs.
Never to eat the bread of idleness, Minnie enjoyed travel and being an avid and accomplished bridge player. She was a member of numerous regional and national bridge associations including the American Contract Bridge League and the American Bridge Association and would travel across the country to play in tournaments. Locally, she belonged to The Clairvoyant Socialite and Downtowner Clubs and the Kings and Queens Bridge Society.
Minnie’s children arise and call her Blessed. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving daughter, Deborah (Michael) Roberts, Dallas, GA; devoted nephew, Lee D. Brown, Jr; grandchildren, Stephen Kahmaar (Stephanie) Wiley Roberts, Nashville, TN; Bethany Roberts, Kingston, WA; Jordan (Lael) Roberts, Biloxi, MS; step-grandchildren, Kelli Roberts, Pfafftown, NC; Michael Roberts ll, Seattle, WA; “Me-Mommy’s” great-grandchildren, Stephon and Lephiano Roberts, Christina Megginson; sister-in-law, Evelyn Wiley Rice, Chicago, IL; wonderful nieces and nephews in Chicago, Detroit and Dallas; and a host of relatives and friends.
The family of Mrs. Minnie Esther Johnson Wiley wishes to acknowledge, with sincere love and appreciation, the overwhelming support and acts of kindness, concern and prayers during her extended illness and transition. A special thanks to Hospice Chattanooga, T’s Sitter Service and care partners Linda Hall and Tameria Livingston, they helped to make mom's transition to heaven a sacred and loving time.
Memorials can be sent to: St John UMC, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. Chattanooga TN 37416.
Final arrangements entrusted to John P. Franklin Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404, (423) 622-9995.
My journey at Morristown College began a couple of years after a disappointing first-time college experience at a prominent large institution in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. At the recommendation of the late Dr. Addie B. Crutcher, an Upward Bound High School Counselor, I enrolled in Morristown the fall of 1973. Upon arriving on the campus, I was nervously excited and had no idea of the far-reaching impact that was to follow. From the time I moved into my dorm room and met my roommate, to the first day of classes, the first canteen cheese steak and the first basketball game, Morristown College was the place where almost everyone knew your name. The intimate class sizes, the academically supportive faculty, the extra-curricular activities, chapel services, study in the library, and local Sunday church worship were all conducive for a well-rounded experience. After graduation in 1975, I attended Clark College(now Clark Atlanta University). As a result of the Morristown College experience, I was not only prepared spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually to excel at Clark College, but was able to interact with students at the other nearby institutions including Spellman, Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Atlanta University. Little did I know in 1973 that the Morristown College experience would launch my road to academic and professional success. I am grateful for the privilege to be a graduate of Morristown College.
The festivities of Jubilee Day put smiles on faces as crowds enjoyed the soul food, games for children and music at Fulton-Hill Park for the Aug. 8 state holiday that celebrates the emancipation of Tennessee’s slaves. Dr. Alpha Alexander, the chair of the Morristown Taskforce on Diversity, said she was pleased to see communities coming together and enjoying themselves. “I think it’s a wonderful start for Hamblen County,” she said. “This is the first Jubilee Day we have celebrated here. I think it has the potential to grow and be an annual event here. Knoxville, Greeneville, Johnson City, Newport… they have been celebrating it for years.” The day started out with speakers including Todd Morgan, executive director of the Knox Heritage and East Tennessee Preservation Alliance and Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney. Chesney said it was important for people to understand the importance of the park where Morristown College, a historic institution of higher education for African Americans that stood at the site. “I think it’s an appropriate history at that location,” he said. “Andrew Fulton is one of the men Fulton-Hill Park. As a child, along with his mother, he was auctioned as a slave at that site. Later, he was a graduate of the school and then a professor who taught there until he passed away.” Chesney said he was looking forward to next year. Games for children were organized, including an egg toss where splattered eggs created big smiles on many faces. The Morristown-Hamblen Library was on hand and were giving away books to children. The Taskforce on Diversity provided free school supplies and prizes for the game winners. The evening ended with a showing of “Best of Enemies,” a movie about the friendship between former enemies in North Carolina- a Ku Klux Klan leader and a civil rights worker. Source: “Day of Jubilee: Fulton-Hill Park Hosts Celebration of Freedom.” Drew Robinson [Morristown, TN], 9 Aug. 2021, www.citizentribune.com/arts_and_entertainment/fulton-hill-park-hosts-celebration-of-freedom/article_f6c11b1a-f930-11eb-85e8-dbdbb4bc3095.html.
Reunion of the Ages has announced its annual scholarship winners. Reunion of the Ages is a non-profit organization established in 2002 and serves as a voice for the legacy, history and pride of Morristown College. It also serves to preserve, honor and celebrate the history and impact of former black educational institutions in Hamblen County in view of the present and future need of the community. Each year scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students based on availability and academic achievement. Students must maintain a high grade point average, be involved in their community and write an essay on why they are applying for the scholarship and their educational goals. Over the course of 18 years the organization has awarded $65,150 to 140 students. The following awards have been awarded for the 2021-2022 academic year: Kailey N. Hoffner, Jefferson County, attending Carson Newman University, nursing, awarded the Francis Pressley Scholarship, $1,000. Kellen Harrison-Lee, Henderson, NV, Eastern Nazarene College, criminal justice, James A. Nichols Scholarship, $500. Isaiah Sherles, Jacksonville, FL, University of Central Florida GPA, computer engineering, Samuel Braziel Scholarship, $500. Daeshawn Harris, Morristown East, Walters State Community College, business, James A. Nichols Scholarship, $500. Kelly Fluker, Morristown West, Tennessee Technological University, computer engineering, Melissa Dukes Scholarship, $500. Noah Lovell, Morristown West, Middle Tennessee State University, journalism, James A. Nichols scholarship, $500.
"I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love." ~ Leo Buscaglia Marjorie Senter ( FORMER MC DORMITORY MATRON) Rev. Donald Daniels ( FORMER MC EDUCATOR / FORMER BETHEL UMC PASTOR) Hazel Simpson ( FORMER MC COOK/DIETICIAN) Janice McMahan Martha Ilene Patterson Alma Estelle Davis Alley Henry Mason Brenda Goodson Mary Alice Davis Litton Mary Wilson Mavis Laverne Dallis If your loved one was missed, please inform us so that we can honor them on our social media page.
Plans are well underway for the Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Cherokee Park on Saturday, June 19, 2021. This festival-event will be open all day and will involve all kinds of activities and presentations to inspire, motivate, educate and entertain event goers. Juneteenth recognizes that although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln went into effect on January 1. 1863, the news did not travel fast and there were states that did not accept this news readily. The people of Texas did not actually receive the news that those who had been enslaved in that state were now free until June 19, 1865. Texas was the last state to comply and so "Juneteenth" has been celebrated in that state and others since that day. What began as a localized celebration has been adopted by many states as an illustration of Dr. King's often quoted statement that "none of us are free until we all are free." Booths are available at no charge for marketing purposes. Please contact Keisha Monroe at keishajmonroe@gmail.com for more information. Donations are welcomed. Our 2021 Scholarship Recipients will be recognized at this event.
Membership in the ROTA ensures you stay connected to Morristown College and its extensive alumni network and ensures the voice of all alumni is heard. Membership helps provide programming to keep alumni connected with the legacy of Morristown College, the affiliate schools and each other. Together, members advocate for the Legacy, promote excellence and help the ROTA promote and advance the best and brightest students with scholarship support. Only $15.00 per person annually Applications are available on our website. Click Here Contact Walter Evans at 423-586-3957 or Michelle Stokes at 423-307-9511
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Our Mission is to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of our community and to promote acceptance and understanding among its residents. Our Vision is to make Morristown a city where all individuals are equally valued solely “by the content of their character,” and are welcomed and celebrated for the uniqueness they contribute to our community. An Operating Principle: We seek partnership and inclusion in every endeavor. Dr. Alpha Alexander, Chairperson
Men Of Vision is a grassroots organization of professional men who are interested in impacting the Community of Morristown, TN. The organization was founded to enhance the development of growth of the character within the African American community in a small town in eastern Tennessee. This group is on a mission to impact this area Civically, Socially, and Economically. Since its inception the community of Morristown is already reaping the benefits of this organization, and we are looking forward to meeting our challenges and goals in the year 2021. John H. Jones, President
TONI YVETTE THOMPSON OXY Occidental College Francis Pressley Scholarship JORDYN NECHELLE YEARY East Tennessee State University William “Sam” Braziel Scholarship ASTRID VANESSA RIVERA Walters State Community College James A. Nichols Scholarship HASLAN LACHELLE WOLF University of Tennessee, Knoxville Melissa McCray-Dukes Scholarship LYRIC MARIE KNIGHT Tennessee Tech University James A. Nichols Scholarship JAYSON ALEXANDER LUTTRELL East Tennessee State University James A. Nichols Scholarship