Johnnie Mae Brinson

Johnnie Mae Brinson, 82, of Columbus, GA received the gift of her salvation on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Columbus Hospice House.

Funeral services will be held 11:30 AM Thursday, May 25, 2023at St. Mary’s Road United Methodist Church with Reverend Donald Mathis officiating, Pastor of ML Harris UMC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. Interment will be held at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery following the service.

Johnnie was born September 27, 1940 in Sumner, GA to the late John Wesley Burch and Earlean Jefferson Burch. Johnnie, lovingly known as Bobo, loved her family fiercely and worked tirelessly to ensure that they would always be together, planning events, gatherings, trips, and quality time together at home. She made it her life's mission to always support the children, routinely calling all the college-aged ones on Sundays to check in, ending each call by reminding them to "stay away from the bad people". She and her husband were always there to support family in times of sickness or crisis no matter what. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and would show her love through her unwavering attendance at sporting events, recitals, and dance performances, always proudly cheering them on. During the pandemic, she supported our family's weekly call that we used to support, connect and offer praises to God. Since its beginning, she never missed a call. She would often reflect on her humble upbringings in Sumner Georgia where she picked cotton and dreamed of the better life that awaited her. "From whence I come," She would say, instilling a legacy of gratitude that lives on in her loving family.

She was affiliated with the Women of Destiny Christian Sisterhood, ML Harris UMC United Methodist Women, and ML Harris UMC Health and Welfare Committee. Johnnie was a licensed nurse where she worked at Bayberry Psychiatric Hospital in Hampton, VA, the Bradley Center Hospital in Columbus, GA for 30 Years, and New Horizons Behavioral Health in Columbus, GA for 10 Years. She was also a devoted military wife who supported her family at numerous duty stations including Patrick AFB in Cocoa Beach, FL, Pentagon in Washington, DC, Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH, Langley AFB in Hampton, VA, and Ft. Benning Army Post in Columbus, GA. Some of her hobbies were sewing, crocheting, cooking fruitcakes, collecting photos of family, and traveling. Her favorite place was the beach in Destin FL. Her first love was God, her second love was her husband, and her third love was her family.

Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Oscar Burch (Grace) and Freddie Burch (Patricia).She is survived by her husband of 60years Clifford Brinson of Columbus, GA, daughters, Andrea Winston of Columbus, GA, Gloria Harris (Dave) of Opelika, AL, Kimberly Harvell of Chicago, IL, sons, Byron Hickey (Sandra) of Columbus, GA, Darron Burch of Columbus, GA, brothers, Clarence Burch (Mary) of Sylvester, GA, Johnny Jefferson (Grace) of Sylvester, GA, grandsons, Roderick Winston, Jr. of Columbus, GA,  Joshua Winston of Atlanta, GA, Brinson Harris of Opelika, AL, Burch Harris of Opelika, AL, granddaughters, Jasmine Winston of Columbus, GA, Sydney Winston of Kennesaw, GA, Holly Hudson (Kevin) of Lithonia, GA, Braxton Harris of Birmingham, AL, nine great grandchildren,God Daughter Sharon Miller of Atlanta GA,special friends, Deborah Render of Lanett, AL, Louise Miller of Clearwater, FL, and a host of extended family members and close friends.

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