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https://livestream.com/accounts/7325565/johnniehouston https://www.flipsnack.com/alcbf/houston-cover.html Johnnie Mae Penn Houston, 91 of Austin, Texas passed away April 6, 2023. Johnnie was born February 3, 1932 in Bartlett, Texas to Johnnie H. Penn and Katherine Rivers Penn. She was the first of three children born to this union. As the daughter of a deacon who was later called into the gospel ministry Johnnie accepted Christ at an early age at the Twelfth Street Baptist Church, Austin, Texas. Often, she fondly remembered her years at the Original L. C. Anderson High School from which she graduated and was a member of the dance team. In 1953 she committed to a lifelong matrimony; Johnnie married Raymond L. Houston. God blessed this union of 58 years with six children. After marriage Johnnie became a member of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. In 1996 Johnnie moved her membership to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she was a deaconess, a member of Hannah Circle and the Adult Sunday School Class. Her favorite bible verse was Exodus 20:12 – "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Her favorite songs were: “Amazing Grace”, “I Know The Lord Will Make A Way”, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “Precious Lord”, “Walk Around Heaven”, “God Is”, and “God Has Smiled On Me”. Having her mother as a role model, as the matriarch of her family, she was a model of impeccable style and grace. She softly portrayed what and how a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend should walk from day to day. Johnnie had a green thumb and loved working in her yard tending to her precious plants. However, her most memorable labor of love share with her family was her down home cooking, most notably her baking skills. She was affectionately known as "MeMaw", "Aunt Mae Mae" and "Aunt Johnnie". Never shy of work Johnnie was a self-employed seamstress, and was later employed by Singers Sewing Company. In 1974 she pursed a career with The Texas Railroad Commission where she was the first African American employee of the commission. After 21 years of service at the Texas Railroad Commission and in August 1995 she retired. Not without heartaches, she was preceded in death by her parents Rev. J. H. Penn and Katherine Penn, her husband, Raymond Houston; her siblings, sister, Viola Penn Guyton; brother, Bennie Roy Penn, Sr. and her granddaughter, Tamaran Dancy. Included to share her precious memories her children, Sandra Claiborne of San Pedro, CA; Clayton Houston (Beverly) of Manor, TX; Vincent Houston (Pamela) of Austin, TX; Darrell Houston, of Pflugerville, TX; Marcia Houston of Austin, TX and Donna Houston of Pflugerville, TX; seven granddaughters, five grandsons; five great granddaughters; four great grandsons and one great-great granddaughter. Good Friend, Ms. Levora Penn; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4.

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Johnnie Mae Houston

February 3, 1932 - April 6, 2023