Catherine JohnsonPonca City, OK

Catherine Johnson

August 25, 1927 — February 6, 2026

On Friday, February 6, 2026, longtime Ponca City resident, Catherine Murray Johnson, the beloved matriarch of her family, peacefully passed away in her sleep at home at the age of 98. With her passing, Catherine was the last remaining member of Ponca City’s oldest generation of elderly African American residents.

Catherine was born on August 25, 1927, in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, to William McKinley Murray, a World War I veteran, and Willie Mae Tillis Murray. Both parents were Oklahoma transplants who were born and raised in Texas.

From Fort Cobb, the family moved to Geary, Oklahoma, where Catherine began her education. The family later relocated to El Reno, Oklahoma, where she continued her schooling. Her father passed away from illness when she was just 10 years old. In 1938, her widowed mother relocated

Catherine and her siblings to Ponca City, where she devotedly raised her five children on her own, never to remarry. Catherine and her siblings attended Attucks School in Ponca City, which served elementary through high school grades and was the only school African American students could attend in the public school district at that time.

Catherine met James Johnson at a tender age in Ponca City. Their friendship grew over time, and as they matured, they courted and later married on February 20, 1945. Together, they built a life and were the parents of seven children. Catherine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who meant much to her family.

In 1958, both Catherine and James accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and united with the Church of God in Christ, where both of them were active, faithful members. After James accepted his call to preach and later became an ordained elder and pastor, Catherine carried out her duties as a pastor’s wife with grace and excellence, making them seem effortless. Catherine lived out her faith abiding by Godly principles until her final breath. Her strong belief in God shaped her into a powerful prayer warrior who faithfully prayed for her family and others as well.

Catherine’s career began in retail, working at Pasteur and Flora Dress Shop, which later changed ownership and thus was named Kathleen’s. While in retail, Catherine was given the opportunity to open her own dress shop. However, she declined the offer, believing the community might not accept her as a business owner or provide enough support for the shop to thrive. For the duration of her career, Catherine worked in the homes of prominent Ponca City residents and at Cookshack toward the latter part of her employment.

Beyond the workforce, Catherine dedicated much of her life as a full-time homemaker. Some interests of Catherine’s were fishing, gardening, mowing the lawn, and traveling. Known for her genuine care and compassion for others, Catherine selflessly helped people whether they were family, friends, or strangers. She also greeted them with a warm and friendly spirit, maintaining a consistent kindness that left a lasting impression on people. Many in the community and beyond were drawn to Catherine’s loving nature. Some affectionately called her Mom, Momma, or Granny—a reflection of the boundless love she showed.

Catherine is survived by her daughters, Thelma Nadine Thomas, Rita Harris (Lemuel Harris), and Priscilla Jarrett; and two sons, Elder Timothy Johnson (Semona Lorraine Johnson), also her pastor; and Evangelist Louis Johnson (Bobbie Johnson). Also surviving her are 16 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nephews and great-nephews; nieces and great-nieces; and cousins. Catherine loved and embraced as her own some children who were not biologically hers, some of whom survived her and the others preceded her in death.

In addition to her parents, also preceding Catherine in death are her husband, James Sr.; two sons, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal James Johnson Jr. and infant son Robert Lee Johnson; her four siblings, Beatrice King, Ruthie Lee Brown, Ruby Cash, and Paul William Murray; her eldest grandchild, Willie David “Crockett” Grays Jr.; two sons-in-love, Eric Thomas and Kenneth Jarrett; her father-in-love, Louis Johnson, and mothers-in-love, Priscilla Battles Johnson and Oleatha Haney Johnson; and numerous brothers-in-love; sisters-in-love; and other loved ones.

Catherine’s presence, prayers, and kindness will be deeply missed and forever remembered.