Pastor Denise Johnson's Obituary
Pastor Denise Johnson, 65, of Fayette, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at South Hampton Place in Columbia, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Morgan Street Baptist Church at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be from 11-12PM Monday at the church and from 3-5 PM Sunday at the H.T. May and Son Funeral Home. Services will be livestreamed through H.T. May and Son Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/htmayfuneralhome.
Denise sought the Lord and He answered. He escorted her to a place He prepared especially for her, early Sunday morning on December 14, 2025, in Columbia, MO.
Tom Gilson, Sr. and Geraldine Gilson welcomed their daughter, Denise Venita Gilson into the world on June, 9, 1960 in Denver, Colorado.
Denise was a 1979 graduate of Rock Bridge High School. She attended Lincoln University, Long Beach Community College and Central Methodist University. She was employed at 3-M in Columbia, MO and Fayette Public Schools in Fayette. MO.
In 1983, Denise was united in marriage to Raymond Johnson. In this union, Charrissa, Jessra, Michael, Samantha and J’Levonte were welcomed and loved.
Denise received Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. Denise became a licensed Evangelist Missionary on June 12, 1991. In 2006, her father, Elder Richard (R.C.) Paige passed the churchlegacy mantle to her. Denise was ordained by Dr. Michael Page to become the pastor of Holy Ground Christian Tabernacle in Fayette, MO on October 27, 2007.
Denise was a very active sports mom. She enjoyed traveling to various events especially with Mrs. Terry Bentley to watch her children participate in Basketball and Track. She was also a member of the Fayette, Ministerial Alliance.
Denise was reunited with her parents, Geraldine and Elder R.C. Paige and Tom Gilson, Sr. Her grandmother, Thelma Moore, her niece, Angie Gilson and aunt, Laverne Dowdell.
Denise leaves her beloved children, Michael Gilson, Charrissa Johnson, Jessra (Amanda) Johnson, Samantha Johnson and J’Levonte Johnson. To cherish her memories are her grandchildren, Natasha Gilson, Anayah (Damon) Joenes, Nathaniel Brown, De’Aunte Gilson, Demarcus Gilson, Demarrion Gilson, Sydney Tucker, Solomon Tucker, Melodee Tucker Sierra (Rodrigo) Vasquez, Juluis Gilmore, Tristan Gilmore, Ta’leah Gilson, Jeremiah Simmons, Isaiah Simmons, Noah Simmons, Jyson Jones, and Joziah Gilson and Dominic Gilson.
Denise leaves her great-grandchildren, Ayden Bledsoe, Josiah and Serena Joenes, and Ava Vazquez to carry on her legacy.
Denise also leaves to honor and cherish her memory her brothers, Kenneth (Valerie) Gilson, Tom (Solange) Gilson, Jr. and Ronald Mingo. Denise also leaves to love her forever and a day her sister, cousin and best friend, Evangelist, Cindy Cravens. She also leaves a wealth of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Denise lovingly cherished Ronisha Bailey, Derrick Enyard, Tarris Poindexter, Lekeea Graves, Tony Hill and Chastity Jeff as her “God Babies” whom she loved and nurtured as her own.
Denise known to many as “Mama Nise” was a loving, kind woman with a heart of gold. She was a faithful and mighty warrior for the Lord. A woman who loved deeply, counseled many and a stranger to none. She would give her very last if you were in need ... no questions asked. A woman who danced like David danced in praise for the glory of the Lord on physically broken feet. One who never complained, but prayed. Whose home and heart were always open to anyone at any time.
On that great Sunday morning, Jesus called Denise to enter into the joy of thy Lord. She heard the words that she longed and strived to hear... “Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . .” Rest in His everlasting arms Denise Venita Johnson. Your work here is finished.
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