Celebrating the Life Of

Grace Dora Booth Sunrise Sunset February 28, 1927 October 27, 2019

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m.

MT. HOREB BAPTIST CHURCH

2914 Bladensburg Road, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20018

Reverend Dr. H.B. Sampson, Pastor

What Our Aunt Meant To Us Aunts have no wands or wings,

So they work with wisdom, love, and things.

Having taken on this role,

You loved us right down to our souls.

You offered kindness

And greetings with hugs and kisses,

Each freely out of love which we will miss.

We chose a twinkling star in the sky at night,

To say a prayer for you while gazing into its bright light.

You are in God’s Heavens now and no longer in pain,

In our thoughts, you’ll always remain

How lucky we were,

How blessed we’ve been,

You were more than our Aunt,

You were also our friend.

We love you and miss you Aunt Gracie!

Order of Service

Prelude

Hymn of Comfort ............................................................................................................ Consoling Choir

“Amazing Grace”

Scripture

Old Testament: Psalm 23 .............................................................. Curlene B. Wellington (Niece)

New Testament: John 14:1-6 ............................................................... Deborah A. Purdie (Niece)

Prayer of Consolation ............................................................................................... Deacon Elijah Dixon

Selection .......................................................................................................................... Consoling Choir

“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

Obituary ................................................................................................................................ Read Silently

Church Paper/Acknowledgments ................................................................. Barbara Cook, Church Clerk

Tribute from Nieces ............................................................................ Shia E. Wellington (Grand-Niece)

Tribute from the Wilson Family .............................................................. Reverend Dr. Willie F. Wilson

Pastor, Union Temple Baptist Church

Expressions .................................................................................................................... Family & Friends

(Please limit to two minutes.)

Solo ......................................................................................................................... Minister Thonya Ryan

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

Eulogy ......................................................................................... Reverend Dr. H.B. Sampson III, Pastor

Recessional ................................................................................................................. “Goin’ Up Yonder”

Interment Lincoln Memorial Cemetery

4001 Suitland Road

Suitland, MD 20746

Obituary

Grace Dora Johnson Booth, daughter of the late

James and Lucy Ora Johnson, was born on February

28, 1927 in Louisburg, NC. She was the youngest

of four children: James, George and Matlene. She

departed this life after a brief illness at Stoddard

Global Baptist Care, Inc.

Grace, affectionately known as “Gracie” to family

and friends, was educated in the public school

systems of Franklin County, NC and Washington,

DC. Gracie was in junior high school when her

family relocated from Louisburg, NC to

Washington, DC.

Grace moved to New York City, NY in the early

60’s. She was self-sufficient and held several jobs

in New York. She worked for the New York Port

Authority for forty plus years, retiring in 1989.

In 1964, she met Willie Booth, Jr. It was love at first sight, and they were married on

August 31, 1965. Willie relocated to New York City where they lived happily until his

passing in 2006. Their marriage of 41 years was filled with love, and she was a devoted,

loving and faithful wife. The couple shared everything and did everything together,

always taking care of each other.

Grace doted on her nieces and nephew, and always made a point of sharing and

celebrating their life milestones and accomplishments. She made Christmas a special

time for them. They anxiously awaited her visit, knowing they could always count on her

to bring the most fashionable gifts from New York City. They all marveled at the number

of gifts she would have her husband haul into the house, which always filled the trunk

and back seat of their car.

Following the passing of her beloved Willie, Grace was persuaded by her nieces to relocate

to Washington, D.C. in March 2008. Fiercely proud and protective of her independence,

Grace moved into her own apartment at Fort Lincoln Senior Village. There she made

many friends and enjoyed living on her own until May 2019 when she became ill. She

often talked about her newly found friends, especially Leon Green. They were the best of

friends, and Mr. Green always looked out for Grace. They thoroughly enjoyed each

other’s company and spent a lot of quality time together.

Shortly after returning to Washington, DC, she joined Mt. Horeb Baptist Church where

she thoroughly enjoyed the services. Grace was the one for fashion! She had great taste

in clothing and accessories. During her weekly attendance at church, she was always

impeccably dressed. She took great pride in her appearance. It was nothing for her to

have everything match – dress, hat, shoes, purse and jewelry!

Grace was an avid shopper and loved to buy both food and clothes. She never had

enough of either and would go shopping weekly. When her health no longer permitted

her to continue her weekly shopping sprees, Aunt Gracie would write out her “wish

list” and send her grand-nephew or nieces, especially Curlene, shopping every week

for a full carload of groceries and everything else you can imagine!!

Grace became ill and unable to do for herself in May 2019. After a three-week hospital

stay, she was transferred to Stoddard Global Care, Inc. for physical therapy and then

to the long-term care facility in August 2019. Even though she had suffered a

diminished capacity, she made friends and left an impression on those she met at the

new facility. She will be missed.

Grace was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willie Booth, Jr.; parents, James

and Lucy Ora Johnson; siblings, James, George and Matlene; nieces, Cheryl Borders

and Danita Borders; and nephew, George Johnson, Jr.

Grace leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted and loving nieces, Curlene B.

Wellington (Benjamin), Donna R. Johnson-Smith, Deborah A. Purdie (Kevin

Bratcher) and Wanda L. Jones (Horace Stephens); nephew, Glenn Burnett; grand-

nephews, Benjamin C. Wellington (Heather), Brandon C. Wellington (Aisha), Tariq

Fowler and Devin Burnett; grand-nieces, Ronda Jones and Keaya Purdie (Roy

Palmer); great-grand-nephew, Jacob Palmer; great-grand-nieces, Shia Wellington,

Nova Fowler, and Ava Palmer; cousins, Hazel Spriggs, Raymond Green, Maggie Neal

and Maevon Garrett; a very special friend, Leon Green; lifelong friends, Thomas and

Lutie Brown and Patricia Freelow; devoted family friend, Darlene DeGraffinreidte;

and a host of other loving relatives, neighbors and friends. We will all miss Gracie!

A Love Story

Pallbearers Grand-Nephews & Friends of the Family

Floral Bearers Grand-Nieces & Friends of the Family

If roses grow in Heaven Lord

Please pick a bunch for us.

Place them in our Loved One’s arms

And tell her they are from us.

Tell her we love her and miss her.

And when she turns to smile,

Place a kiss upon her cheek,

And hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy,

We do it every day.

But there is an ache within our hearts

That will never go away.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;

Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Author Unknown

Acknowledgment The Family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for your prayers, words of comfort and support during

our time of bereavement. God Bless you all.

Repast Immediately following the interment, the family will receive relatives and friends at:

New Canaan Baptist Church

2826 Bladensburg Road, NE

Washington, D.C. 20018

Final Arrangements Entrusted To:

STEWART FUNERAL HOME, INC.

4001 Benning Road, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20019 ■ (202) 399-3600

Programs by Programme Express (301) 779-1807