A Tribute

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”  Abraham Lincoln   

 

My beloved mother, Wanda Faye Johnson, was with me my first heartbeat and I was with her for her last heartbeat.  We were together every heartbeat in between whether physically or in spirit.   

 

My childhood provided lots of heart to heart times with just the two of us as Momma equipped me to be a Christian, a man of character, a husband, a father, and a businessman.  Being an educator by profession, she created a perpetual classroom in all settings with me as her prized student.  As a second grader, she taught me to prioritize, plan, and budget by giving me cash in two week increments for my school lunch.  It was up to me to spend it wisely or to do without.   She taught me to maintain a vision of success including dressing, walking, thinking, and planning.  She explained it would make the difference between a $40,000 and a $150,000 job.  She emphasized a commitment to the success of others but especially those in need.  She made an extra effort to connect with her students, youth in the community, and youth in the church through words of encouragement and affirmation.  She looked for opportunities to fulfill the needs of the disadvantaged of all ages whether it be a meal, financial assistance, phone calls, transportation, tutoring, counseling, or other caring gestures.  These are the same heartfelt principles I dreamed, planned, built, and operate my business with an emphasis on silent charitable deeds.  My heart will forever be aligned with Momma’s professionally and personally. 

  

Momma privately faced tremendous difficulties with grace, strength, and the willpower to endure.  She never complained.  She listened more than she talked while being an avid observer of others.  This trait revealed a lot about the substance, perspective, and integrity of others.  She refused to get caught up in a loop of negativity or foolishness with her trademark saying, “I said what I said and I’m done with it.”  This mindset enables me to say what needs to be said, let go, then move forward with focusing on God, my family, and my business. 

  

Someday when my work here is done, Momma and I will be heart to heart again in the most jubilant dance of them all, our first dance in Heaven.   

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Justin Johnson

Founder

J & J Elite Enterprises