Ida Horne Johnson

JOHNSON, Ida Horne, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama and a former resident of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at her residence. Mrs. Ida Ruth Horne Johnson lit up every room she entered.  She danced into the world on May 18th, 1942, in Florala, Alabama and was the baby of the Horne household led by loving parents Clifford Horne and Ruth Bryant Horne. 

While the Horne family lost Ruth just months after Ida was born, there was never a lack of love and direction. Ida was raised by a host of loving people, and had a whole village led by her grandmother, Ida Lloyd Bryant Hutcherson. 

 After graduating from Ralph Bunche High School in Andalusia, Alabama, Ida’s village sent her to Daytona Beach, Florida to attend Bethune-Cookman College, where she played women’s basketball for the Wildcats, and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.

In 1968, she was one of four teachers to first integrate the teaching staff of Broward County (Florida) Public Schools. The following year, she married Donald Johnson and became an Army wife who embraced the role and made it sparkle. Each time he received new orders she packed their home and accompanied him. As a result, she taught on three continents, North America: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts; Europe: Germany; and Asia: Japan. While in Japan, she earned her Graduate Degree in Education Leadership through Michigan State University. After 40 years of teaching children everything she could, she retired from Broward County Public Schools where her amazing career began. 

Before sending her out to further her education and explore the world, her grandmother told her to find Jesus no matter where she landed, and she did. Ida’s faith journey began in Florala at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church and continued in her travels to various Army posts. She was a decades-long member of Mount Hermon African Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and her three brothers Eddie Horne, Clifford Horne, Jr. (Celina), and Andrew Horne (Jasie), and her soulmate, her husband of 39 years, Staff Sergeant Donald Johnson, U.S. Army (Retired). 

Wonderful memories of Ida are cherished by her daughter Tara Denice Johnson Davis, her son-in-law, Artur G. Davis, and her chosen son, Terrance Andre Johnson. She also leaves to remember her fondly, many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted family, dear friends, and compassionate caretakers.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Saint John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, 807 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama. The celebration will continue immediately after the church service with a luncheon at Venue 901, located at 901 South Hull Street. 

To watch the funeral service live from afar, please use this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AAAmJghZz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Ms. Ida’s request: In lieu of flowers, please donate your financial support to Friendship Mission, Inc. were she gave her time and financial and in-kind donations for the last six years of her life. 

Friendship Mission, Inc. P.O. Box 230115 Montgomery, AL 36123-0115 or online at https://www.friendshipmission.org/love/donate/

 As we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, we would also like to express our upmost gratitude to you for entrusting us with your loved one. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services.

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