Pastor Shirley Mae Lowery Johnson was born March 11, 1936 in Chesterfield, SC to Bessie W. Lowery and Joseph P. Lowery, Sr. Pastor Johnson departed this life on March 11, 2014 at Forsyth Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

Pastor Johnson spent her early childhood in Wadesboro, NC and moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1950. She attended the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, but she did not obtain a high school diploma. Determined to show her children that education was important and after having ten children and a conversation with her husband, Pastor Johnson returned to high school in 1968, graduating from Atkins High School with honors in 1969. After high school, she enrolled at Forsyth Tech College and obtained an Associate Degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. After completing that degree and while studying for her state nurse's board exam, she worked as a secretary for the Beacon Finance Company in Winston-Salem and as an LPN at Baptist Hospital.

Having a thirst for education, Pastor Johnson entered Winston-Salem State University in 1973, the year after her oldest son, Ronald, enrolled at WSSU. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing in 1977, graduated Cum Laude, and was inducted into the Nursing Honor Society. She was chosen for Who's Who in American Nursing 1986-87. She worked in the nursing profession for more than 30 years, working at Baptist Hospital 10 ^th Tower and the Veteran's Hospital in Salisbury, NC. She retired from Forsyth Technical Community College as a Nursing Instructor. She also took Biblical courses, such as Introduction to Old and New Testament. She also attended numerous biblical seminars and workshops.

Pastor Johnson attended Saint Matthew Apostolic Church under the leadership of her brother, Bishop Joseph P. Lowery. While at St. Matthew she worked in many capacities and auxiliaries such as: Senior Missionary Department, Adult Sunday School Teacher, Spiritual Choir member, Pastor's Aide and Willing Workers. She was the business secretary for the church and Director of the church daycare center until it closed in December 1999. Pastor Johnson became the founder and Pastor of New Horizon Apostolic Church, which held its first service in April 2, 2000. While being a Pastor first, she continued to work in the community by doing missionary workshops, seminars on health issues, and other workshops. Pastor Johnson lived the life she preached and sang about; she saw the good in everybody. Singing was her love, anytime at home, you could hear singing, " Lord you gave me one more sunny day", "Jesus will work it out", "My soul is Anchored in the Lord", "I want Complain", and "Sweeping through the City". She would say, "Sometimes I don't need a song to get happy, I just think of the Goodness of Jesus and all that he has done for me". Pastor Johnson has been a member of the ACCG for 30 plus years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie and Joseph Lowery; stepfather, Robert C. Friend; sister, Bertha L. Bynum; and two sons, Jasper Neal and William Curtis Lowery.

Left with wonderful memories of Pastor Johnson is her loving husband of 55 years, Deacon George Johnson, Sr. of the home; two daughters, Beverly Dickerson (Robert) and Valerie McMillan (Clarence) both of Winston-Salem, NC; six sons, Elder Gary Johnson of the home, Robert Lowery, Deacon Terry Johnson (Taleah), Elder Edward Lowery (Delores) all of Winston-Salem, NC, George R. Johnson, Jr. (Aleta) of Capitol Heights, MD, and Elder Ronald Lowery (Sylvia) of Henderson, NC; brother, Bishop Joseph P. Lowery (Josephine) of Winston-Salem, NC; aunt, Mary Myers of Chesterfield, SC; sister-in-law, Beatrice Johnson of Annapolis, MD; 22 grandchildren, Chautney, Terrence, Dominque, Kennard, Chekasha, Jamil, Donnell, Shawn, Antonio, Britney, William Jr., Latanjia, Teryn, Terrell, Joshua, Stacey, Ebony, Tawan, Edward Jr., Ronald Jr., Sheressa, and Tonya; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; two nieces, Jacqueline Lowery and Tonya Watson; five nephews, Carlos Hawkins, Marvin Lowery, Tim Johnson, Michael Johnson, and Tracy McCloud; a special God-grandson, Samuel Robertson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 12noon Saturday, March 15, 2014 at St. Matthew Apostolic Temple Church of Jesus Christ, 3640 New Walkertown Rd. W-S, NC 27105 with Bishop James C. Richardson, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Saturday at the Church.

A celebration of life through music and tributes will be held from 7pm until 9pm on Friday, March 14, 2014 at St. Matthew Apostolic Temple Church of Jesus Christ.