Born June 13th, 1932 in Joplin, Missouri, to Thomas James Johnson and Sadie Ellen Johnson, Betty Lou was the third of four siblings: Mary Elizabeth, James J. and Cranston Louis. Mary Elizabeth and Cranston Louis preceded her in death.
At age nine, Betty was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. She, along with other members of her family, relocated from Missouri to Brooklyn, New York in the early to mid-forties. It was there that she met Norman (Prescott). They started courting in their teen yeas and married while yet in their teens. This union produced two daughters, Esmé and Norma, and one grandson, Daniel.
Betty was ever gracious, respectful and considerate to everyone. Betty was a singer in her own right, singing sacred songs (hymns and gospel) at the local church; Trinity Temple COGIC, Montclair; the then Northern District; The Jurisdiction, New Jersey 3rd; and on a few occasions, the Women’s International Convention and the International Holy Convocation. Her signature songs were: “Only What You Do for Christ Will Last,” “Order My Steps,” “Fill My Cup,” “The King is Coming,” “At the Cross,” “Jesus Let Me All the Way,” “People Need the Lord,” “And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me,” “Jerusalem,” “Until Then,” “Then Jesus Came,” “In the Upper Rom,” and “Sweet Little Jesus Boy.”
On Saturday evening, October 20th, 2018, Betty transitioned into glory at the Park Crescent Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility in East Orange. She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband of sixty-nine years, Bishop Norman L. Prescott; daughters Esmé and Norma; grandson Daniel; brother James J. Johnson; a sister-in-law Eleanor Nesby; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.
So, “Until Then,” “In that Great Getting’ Up Mornin’,“ we will see you again.
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