Johnnie Mae King Stevenson

Johnnie Mae King Stevenson, daughter of the late Ed "Skillet" King and Julia Pinckney King, was born on October 21, 1936 in Ridgeland, SC. Johnnie Mae was formally educated in the public schools of Jasper County. At an early age Johnnie Mae joined 2nd Euhaw Baptist Church, Grahamville under the leadership of Rev. PJ Scott. As a member of 2nd Euhaw she sang and served on the usher board for many years. In 1958, she married the love of her life, the late Joseph "Bubba" Stevenson. She spent her days caring for her family as a housewife and practicing her great love for singing. She was a member of the former Starlight Gospel Group, and after growing up under her father, who was a singer, lead her to form her own group, The Sunshiners, which consisted of her and her children. Every Sunday they would sing on the radio station WBUG. Besides her father, her favorite singer was Shirley Caesar, Johnnie Mae was a very strong woman who loved her family, especially her children. Loving memories will be cherished by her children, Patricia (Madison) Bolden, Joseph (Mary Medlock) Stevenson, Jr., Robin (Sammie) Mervin, Alvonia (Reynold) Shepherd, all of Ridgeland, SC, and Joseph (Beverly) King, Buffalo, NY; one brother, Joe Nathan King, Ridgeland, SC; three sisters, Dorothy Mae Singleton, Ridgeland, SC, Sarah Simmons, Okatie, SC, and Willie Nell Hill, Bronx, NY; one brother in law, Rufus Toomer, Ridgeland, SC; one sister in law, Helen Hughes, Philadelphia, PA; one adopted daughter, Carlene Beaton, Ridgeland, SC ; one god-daughter, Betty Jean Garvin-Smalls; sixteen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren; two special friends, Margie Chaneyfield and Catherine Hamilton; a special cousin, Betty Garvin; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by three daughters: Sherry Ann, Vivian, and Vanessa Stevenson; one son, Jerome Stevenson; three grandchildren: Takelia Bolden, Jermain Alston, and Clarissa Hamilton. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Center, Ridgeland with burial in the King Family/Grahamville Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4:00 til 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Center, Ridgeland with burial in the King Family/Grahamville Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4:00 til 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland.