Dr. Ada Gaines Johnson

Obituary For Dr. Ada Gaines Johnson

Obituary

Dr. Ada Gaines Johnson was born in Birmingham, Alabama on March 1, 1932, to Felix and Fannie Gaines. She was the third of eight girls.

Dr. Ada Johnson started her career with the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in 1963, and she was the first female and black Correction Officer in Alaska, holding the rank of Sergeant from 1977 to 1987.

After she retired from the State of Alaska, Dr. Johnson loved doing volunteer work, including missions with the New Hope Baptist Church, and traveling with the Baptist Nursing Fellowship to South Korea and Brazil. She also volunteered in a wide variety of causes ranging from gubernatorial and senator campaigns in Alaska to health screenings with the Anchorage Schools and assisting at the Pioneer Home, where she was named Volunteer of the Year for 1990/1991. In 1994, Dr. Johnson was honored as a “Woman of Achievement” by YWCA. In 2006, Dr. Johnson responded to the call of “Little Girl Dresses for Africa” – a nonprofit in Michigan. With her seamstress skills she made 567 dresses for the little girls who were unable to attend school due to lack of clothing. She also made Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls in response to another calling.

Dr. Johnson received a BA from Wayland Baptist University in Anchorage and was on the Dean’s List several times. In 2012, she was one of 21 women in Alaska who were recognized as “Freedom Sisters” by the Ford Motor Company for promoting the equality and rights of African American women. Dr. Johnson, in 2023 was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. She also received in 2024 the Honorary Doctorate Degree from the School of the Great Commission Bible College for outstanding work throughout the community and community development. She was a truly honored and accomplished woman.

Dr. Ada Johnson was a faithful member of Muldoon Baptist Church (now True North Baptist Church). She also held memberships at Shiloh Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church. She was a devoted Christian and loved the Lord. She was always giving to others less fortunate and to charitable causes.

She leaves many friends and family to cherish her memory: Four siblings: Rosa Lee Morgan, Juanita Gaines, Fannie (Pete) Gaines, and Marilyn Gaines. Five children, Larry Gaines (Mary), Marva Weeden (Tony), Wanda Dale, Derrick Dale (Kym), and Clauresa Davis (Larry), eight grandchildren: Elizabeth Gaines Willard, Lorenda James, Rose Gaines, Tra’Jonn Smith, Kendra Dale Kimball, Brittany Dale Hume, Teaira Davis, Jordan Dale and 17 Great Grandchildren. Dr. Johnson loved her grandchildren and did her best to acknowledge every birthday and accomplishment in their lives.

She is preceded in death by parents, Mr. Felix Gaines, and Mrs. Fannie Gaines; and her siblings, Mrs. Lela Borner, Mrs. Juliette Lockett, and Mrs. Bennie G. “Kitty” Wright.

Service

When

Saturday, June 22, 2024 1:00pm

Location

Elmwood Cemetery

Address

600 Martin Luther King Drive SW

Birmingham, Alabama 35211

*No Public Viewing/Visitation*