Myrtle Johnson

Myrtle Olivia Johnson (Mert), born Myrtle Olivia Cage on May 26, 1938 in Chicago, IL to the union of Entrepreneurial Trailblazers in black owned business; Ministers Jerry and Edna Cage.  Soon after Myrtle’s birth, her parents uprooted the family and relocated to Robbins, Illinois where they settled, broke ground, and laid a foundation - starting multiple businesses in the community making this home for the Cage Family.

Myrtle received her formal education at Lincoln Memorial Grammar School and Graduated from Dwight Eisenhower High School in 1956.  During this time, she worked with her parents at “Deluxe Clothing Store” as a Store Clerk which was one of the six businesses her family owned and operated in Robbins. In 1955 Myrtle met and was wed to Olester Johnson Sr. (preceded in death). She bore three sons Olester Jr., Danny, and Ronald. She attended her family church “New Testament Sanctified Church” in Robbins, IL founded by her parents the late Ministers Jerry and Edna Cage; here is where she confessed her life to Christ. At age twenty six Myrtle was diagnosed with a disease that was determined to take her life.  Doctors ruled that she was not expected to live to see her 30th birthday “BUT GOD” had other plans preserving her life to the seasoned age of eighty.  

Myrtle was a God fearing woman loved and well respected in the Robbins community. She so loved the community that she was deemed “A Robbinite” by her son Olester Jr. Although she relocated to Matteson, IL later in life, Myrtle raised her family in Robbins, IL and made sure that her grandchildren were well vested in the Robbins Community by continuing to frequently visit family and friends, patronize the businesses, remaining a devout member of her family church, and with her family participated in the community festivities held in Robbins throughout the years.  

Myrtle enjoyed spending time with her family, attending church, cooking, shopping and dressing, socializing, attending community events, and driving. She worked as a Driver for the Public Auction in Robbins, IL transporting cars, and Alpha Bus Company for many years.  At Alpha she enjoyed the congregation of children as she transported them to and from school daily but above all this…Myrtle Loved to play BINGO! Wherever there was a BINGO game in session, you were sure to find Myrtle in the mix

Myrtle departed this life on January 29, 2019 to join some immediate family members that preceded her; parents Ministers Edna and Jerry Cage, one son Ronald Mitchell, one sister Geraldine Perez, six brothers Orville (Naomi), Jerry Jr., Herman, Harold, Alvin, Maurice, and one grandson Olester Johnson III.  

Although she is gone, she will never be forgotten for she leaves to celebrate her life; one sister Katheryn Cage, one sister-in-law Evelyn Cage (Herman), two sons Olester Johnson Jr. (Cyndi), Danny Johnson, five grandchildren, Danny Jr., Trenese, Ronald Jr., Myrrisha, and Todd, three great grandchild Olester IV, Devin, and Rekiya, three step grandsons Clenard, Lenard, and Quinton, four step grandchildren Jeremiah, Anyla, Neveah, and Ethan, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Special considerations go out to her eldest Granddaughter Trenese Mitchell who she referred to as “My Angel” for being a dedicated caregiver to her beloved grandmother, Niece Maria (Tres) Perez who she referred to as her “Doctor”, and Niece Kathy Cage-Guinn for her steadfast support.

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