Jessie I Johnson

Jessie I. (Bates) Johnson "Binky" 79, of 49 Pleasant Valley Drive passed away at home on Thursday March 11, 2010 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with leukemia. She is survived by her husband, childhood sweetheart and best friend of 59 years, Leonard Johnson Jr.; her 11 children, Bruce, Richard, Keith, Lynnier, Tina, Leonard Johnson III, Derek, Troy, Shawn & Crystal, all of Worcester; 21 grandchildren; 8 great-grand children; two sisters, Blanche Taylor of Worcester and Doris Shavies of Washington; a brother Harry Bates of Connecticut; many nieces and nephews. A son, Craig Johnson, two brothers, Ernest and Carl Bates Jr, and three sisters, Alice Ward, Lillian Lane, and Mary Williams all pre-deceased her. Jessie was born on May 14, 1930, a daughter of the late Carl "Chief Suncloud" and Gladys (Hennessey) Bates. She attended Thomas Street Elementary School where she and her husband Leonard met and attended Commerce High School. Jessie was a City of Worcester bus monitor for children with special needs for the past 24 years. She previously worked at The Mart Department Store as a clerk. Jessie was a woman of honor who devoted her time to her family and her job with great pride. Any day you could see her wearing her neon vest on the school bus throughout the city and escorting the children. She seemed to have a passion for children. Jessie loved Foxwoods and was an avid bingo player as well as a great cook. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who although was the matriarch of a large family, She never showed favoritism just equal amounts of love to all. The Johnson family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Commonwealth Hematology - Oncology and St. Vincent's Hospital for all of the love and care that they provided to our mother during her illness. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family during calling hours, Wednesday, March 17th from 4 pm to 8 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street. A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m. in All Saints Church 10 Irving Street. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery.