Sarah Lee Johnson
Meriden - Sarah Lee Johnson, 87, of 262 Sunset Drive, Glastonbury, formerly of 35 Windsor Avenue, Meriden, entered into the arms of our Lord on Sunday, November 1, 2009 after a brief illness. She was the widow of Gilbert John Johnson. Mrs. Johnson, a daughter of the late Leroy and Sarah Coverson was born in Pratt City, Alabama on June 6, 1922. She was a resident of Meriden for over 66 years. Mrs. Johnson was employed by the Meriden Police Department for 33 years as a School Crossing Guard before her retirement in 1996. She received numerous awards throughout her career and upon her retirement. She was noted for scolding impatient motorists and errant children with a no-nonsense attitude that says, 'I care!' She has lived a life of dedication and service to the Lord and her community. Her list of community services reads like a novel and includes: President of Local Home Mission of Parker Memorial, President of United Church for Women, President of the Lay Council, President of Deaconess Board, Member of National Council of Women Missionaries, Advisory Board of Catholic Family Services, Board of Directors of Child Guidance Clinic, Platt Mothers Association of Meriden Girls Club, Big Brothers Women's Auxiliary, deaconess and missionary at the Parker A.M.E. Zion Church, Superintendent of the church school for over 20 years, and life member in the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society. She is survived by a daughter, Jeanette Johnson, two grandchildren, Quia Claybourne and Shanon Johnson, a sister, Ella Henry and a host of relatives and friends. She is predeceased by a son, Leroy Gilbert Johnson. The funeral will be held at Parker Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church , 1280 N. Broad Street, Meriden, on Friday, November 6 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Alsey Williams officiating. Friends may call at the Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden on Thursday, November 5 from 4-8 p.m. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden.
I first met your Mom more than forty years ago when she was a safety officer at Brookside Park where my sisters and I spent many hours of our youth playing.She was a very special lady that left a lasting impression on me. She was strict… but loving and she always made me feel special.She was like my .Park Mom.. She was someone who I had a great deal of respect for. Throughout the years I would run into her on rare occassions either at a store or if I was lucky enough to be passing by Ben Franklin School where she was working as a crossing guard. She always had a big smile for me and would say hello calling me by name so that everyone around could hear. She always made me feel like a long lost friend. And I would always say it was good seeing you Mrs. Johnson, and leave with fond memories and a smile on my face. Now, I’m sad to learn of her passing. And I, like many untold others, will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Chris Carter-Neill