Grace “Lorene” Johnson, 99, “ affectionately known as Granny” of Cisne, Illinois passed Saturday morning January, 10, 2026 at her home.
She was born on April 21, 1926 in Farrington Township in Jefferson County, the sixth child of Johnie Morris Pierce and Anna Belle (French) Pierce. Lorene married Chester Ray Johnson on February 2, 1944 at the home of Rev. Nelson Shields in Mt. Vernon, IL. Lorene and Chester celebrated 73 years together before his passing May 14, 2017.
Lorene was a Homemaker she enjoyed quilting, sewing, embroidery, crocheting, cooking and gardening. In her earlier years she enjoyed singing in gospel groups and playing the piano. She enjoyed being outside and helping on the family farm and tending to her chickens and milking the cows in earlier years. Lorene was a member of the Rock Branch General Baptist Church for over 65 years, and the oldest member at the time of her passing.
Lorene is survived by her children, Johnie Ray Johnson of Johnsonville, IL, Kenneth Robert (Linda) Johnson of Wayne City, IL, and Mary Ann (Dick) Hibbetts of Cisne, IL; sister, Norma Jean Holloway of Frostproof, FL; grandchildren, Jeff (Jill) Johnson, Lora (Kent) Harrison, Lisa (Brad) Keil, Tina (Clinton) Withrow, Kent ( Chelsea) Johnson, Rhonda (Tracy) White, Curtis (Nonyameka) Hibbetts, and Keith (Kristi) Hibbetts, 19 great grandchildren, and 25 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester, parents, Johnie and Anna Pierce, her father and mother-in-law, Ray and Otha Johnson, siblings Opal Donoho, Eleanor Pierce, Hubert Pierce, Dewey Pierce, Pearl Gill, Johnie Jr, daughter-in-law, Linda Lois Johnson, granddaughter, Gina (Johnson) Breeze, 2 great-great grandsons, Barrett Lueke and Ledger Colyer.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 16, 2026 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home in Cisne, IL.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00am prior to the funeral service at 11:00am. at Hosselton-Meridith funeral Home.
Burial to follow in Wells Chapel Cemetery, Bluford, Illinois.
Memorials may be made to the Wells Chapel General Baptist Church Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers.
Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.
