Dorothy Lee (Wilson) Johnson was born on April 27, 1936 to the late Louis and Alberta (White) Wilson in Jefferson County, Georgia. She was affectionately known as "DJ" and "Dot" by many who loved her.

Dorothy attended school in Wrens, GA and attended Smith Grove Baptist Church where she was baptized at an early age. She then moved to Augusta, GA where she met her future husband, James Louis Johnson. Dorothy and James were married on August 17, 1953 and from this union three sons were born, James Louis, Jr., Vernon Lee and Kenneth Lamar Johnson.

Dorothy and family moved to Philadelphia in 1960. In 1965 Dorothy became employed by Presbyterian Hospital where she worked for 33 years, retiring in 1998. She was well known among her colleagues for her strong work ethic, compassion for others and quick wit.

Dorothy joined the Metropolitan Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend M. L. Gayton in 1970. She was a faithful member of the church for 54 years and served on the Senior Ushers Board, EverReady Club and Pastor's Aid.

Dorothy was most lovingly called, "Nana;" a name coined by her grandchildren but used affectionately by many she encountered. Few people could walk into a room, sit on a bus or fellowship in a church pew quite like Dorothy. People were naturally drawn to her welcoming smile and admired her mischievous spirit laced with snappy one-liners, idioms and classic "comebacks." Dorothy never shied away from letting others know exactly what was on her mind and she possessed an uncanny sense of intuition to know when someone she loved was in need. Those who grew to depend on Dorothy, knew she was always just a phone call away for sound advice, strong words of encouragement or loving prayers.

Dorothy's maternal energy stretched far beyond the walls of her home. Whether it be friends and extended family of her children and grandchildren, her own nieces and nephews or younger co-workers and worshippers, many people leaned on Dorothy as their surrogate Mother, Grandmother, or Auntie. To each of them she leaves a lifetime of unconditional acceptance and love.

No life is ever complete without friends who have endeared and enriched our lives along the way.Dorothy was blessed to experience many friendships that began as in-laws, colleagues and fellow worshippers, but grew into life-long connections of support and endless laughter.

One of Dorothy's greatest delights was introducing her children and grandchildren to a world beyond her modest neighborhood through trips to amusement parks, plays, beaches, museums and family reunions in Georgia. Those left to honor Dorothy, treasure fond memories of her dedication to her church family, watching gospel music specials, traveling, reading the newspaper (cover-to-cover), cooking new recipes she found in magazines (always following the measurements, of course), shopping, gardening, spending quality time with family and friends and exalting God's unwavering role as the center of her life.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, James L. Johnson, Sr., her brothers, Alex Wilson and Hosie White and her daughter-in-law, Susana (Mora) Johnson.

Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, two brothers Joseph (Catherine) Johnson and Thomas (Lily) Wilson (GA), three sons, James Johnson, Jr. (Ontario, CA), Vernon Johnson and Kenneth Johnson (Philadelphia), five grandchildren, Ardealia Ross (Salisbury, MD), Leilani Haghighi (Victorville, CA), Alonda (Tyrick) Saunders, (Philadelphia), James Johnson, III and David (Katherine) Johnson (Ontario, CA), eleven great-grandchildren Ashay Johnson-Saunders, Nasim Mosley and Hakim Saunders-Mosley (Philadelphia), Jabria Leggett, JaNya Leggett, Aaron Leggett, Kameron Leggett (Salisbury, MD), Katiana Holmes, Jasmine Haghighi and Kamaron Haghighi (Victorville, CA), Lilyana Johnson (Ontario, CA) and three great-great grandchildren, Kareem Mosley (Delaware), Elijah Leggett, Brielle Cropper (Salisbury, MD) and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.