Johnnie Mae Stephens

Johnnie Mae was born in Laurens county (Dublin) Georgia on May 3rd 1927, the only daughter of Emma (Bragman) Oglesby and Ice Oglesby. On December 23rd 2021 the Heavenly Father called her from 94 years of earthly duties to eternal rest.

Johnnie Mae graduated in 1947 from Everglade Vocational High School in Belle Glade, Florida after which she obtained nursing training at Claxton Hospital in Dublin, Georgia.
This was the beginning of Johhnie’s lifelong love for a Nursing career that spanned for 54 plus years when she stopped in her mid 80s.

On September 14th 1947 she married the love of her life Charlie Walter Stephens.  The couple left Georgia en route to “Jersey” in the early 1950s but stopped to visit Charlie’s relatives in Cincinnati. That “stop” turned into calling the ‘Nati home.

Patricia Diane was born on January 23rd 1960 to bless this union.  The Stephens’ in July 1962 became homeowners in the Hyde Park / Evanston community.  Johnnie Mae remained there even after the death of her husband Charlie in October 1966 at an early age.  Johnnie and her little girl Patti from age 6 were a part of this thriving neighborhood for almost 60 years. 

A well desired nurse, Johnnie Mae not only cared for many prominent citizens of the Greater Cincinnati area, she also trained and encouraged many individuals to take on the medical field.  To the surprise of many she worked in that profession even past retirement age well into her 80s.  She would often say why should I just sit around when I am still able to do something?

Johnnie absolutely loved taking care of her yard and was known to always have a high yielding floral and vegetable garden.  She also loved exercise and often walked a “country mile'' throughout Hyde Park and Evanston. You would often see her at the local community centers and gyms getting her workout in.  Johnnie’s other hobby was fishing which she regularly gave her catch away to neighbors and friends as she didn’t actually like the taste of fish.

Johnnie Mae accepted the Lord during her childhood in Georgia. She spiritually served many years in Cincinnati at St Stephens (Grace) A.M.E. Church (Evanston) and then later at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church (Walnut Hills).

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, half sisters Mary Davis-King and Earnestine ONeal  (Ft Lauderdale, Florida), Grandmother Dollie Bragman, favorite sibling like cousins Jewel Jackson and John Wesley Robinson (Dublin, Georgia).

Johnnie Mae Stephens leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter Pat Stephens-Hunley (Cincinnati, Ohio), Pat’s children Olivia Patrice Hunley “Livi”  (Cincinnati, Ohio), Oliver Wm Hunley IV  “Ollie” (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Ollie’s children Hayven Rayne Hunley and Oliver Wm Hunley V.   Stepson William Edward Stephens “Jason”  (Dublin, Georgia), Jason’s children Vanessa Stephens ( Queens, New York) and William Edward Stephens Jr (Atlanta, Georgia).  Johnnie’s presence will be missed by a host of loving relatives, friends and neighbors.

Due to the current health climate and restrictions, we will have a “Johnnie Mae Stephens” celebration of life event on May 14th 2022.  Details to follow.
May 3rd 2022 would have been her 95th B’Earth day.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnnie Mae Stephens, please visit our floral store.