Songwriter
Oct. 3rd, 1935 - Aug. 2nd, 2015
She co-wrote Long Tall Sally, Miss Ann and Jenny, Jenny
Co-wrote the Little Richard hits “Long Tall Sally” and “Jenny Jenny,” and more than a dozen other songs. Her work was totally unknown until her death on August 2nd of this year, when her family stunned the community with her well-kept secret.

Johnson was born in Hammond on October 3, 1935. In 1956 her lyrics for “Long Tall Sally” became one of her two BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) award winning songs.

That same year, she married Rev. Willie J. Johnson and put her music career on hold for married life. The loving couple lived in Bogalusa.

Johnson supported her husband’s ministry, and never claimed her fame publicly. She affectionately referred to her musical accomplishments as an “undercover operation,” but near the end of her life began to speak of her song writing openly and with a great sense of humor.