Johnnie Stewart

Johnnie Mae Stewart

“J’Mae”

Vocalist, Musician, Composer, Lyricist, and Author

To plant a seed in one’s heart…to root it in love…

To nourish it with time spent together…

Yields a blossom that will flourish forever.

On March 21, 1948, a unique, one-of-a-kind individual was born in the city of Kansas City, Missouri, to parents, Johnnie Lee Chatman and Bertha Mae Chatman.  They named this beautiful baby girl, Johnnie Mae.  As bright and unique as a piece of fabric, Johnnie Mae’s experiences, relationships, memories, and events began to create the patchwork she would soon call, “life.”  Johnnie Mae was nicknamed, “J’Mae” by her family and friends.  She was blessed to have two siblings, brother, Drake Edward, and sister, Bertha.  Later, Bertha would remarry, Frank Reed, and Johnnie would have a father-figure who she would honor and respect.  As a child, her father, Frank Reed, remembers Johnnie being the curious child who would break things, just to turn around and fix them.

J’Mae grew up in the church, attending every service and revival with her family.  At an early age, she began singing and playing the piano.  She had an unusually soft, lifting, and quiet voice (almost a whisper) that would inspire so many to dance and sing along with her.  By the age of eight, Johnnie was singing professionally and traveling extensively, and at the age of 18, she accepted her first paid position as the Minister of Music of the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Kansas City.  J’Mae was astonished and flattered by the excitement of others.  God blessed her with many gifts.

Receiving her formal education in the Kansas City Missouri School System, Johnnie attend and graduated from Central High School.  During high school, J’Mae met a sister that would stick closer than any other.  All the way from Arkansas, Ether, would infiltrate Johnnie’s life with love and support.  These two were so close, one would think a thing, and they other would speak it.  After obtaining her high school diploma, J’Mae continued her education at the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, Colorado.  Her accomplishments were in abundance, as she won many awards in fashion shows.

Johnnie was the proud mother of LaVan Davis, they shared timeless memories together.  While at Central High, Johnnie met Russell “David Russell” Davis and became high school sweethearts.  In Kansas City, MO, the year of 1971, Johnnie and Russell would marry.  This marriage was later dissolved.  Years later, Johnnie met the love of her life, Paul W. Stewart in Denver, Colorado.  They would become inseparable, and later, Johnnie and Paul would marry creating a blended family adding children, Mark, Tracy, Linda, and Earl.  They enjoyed spending time with each other.  Later, she was blessed with three grandchildren, Kamille, Chelsea, and Deven; one great grandchild, Malahnie; and her many godchildren.  They were all an added source of joy and life for Johnnie.

Johnnie was a current member and contributor at New Life Church under the leadership of Senior Pastor Jeff Noble.  She was dedicated to the Lord and faithful to the ministry of music.  Her love for the Lord never wavered, and she was an example for many.

Johnnie made many appearances throughout her career.  She sang in many churches across Kansas City and Colorado including, but not limited to, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, KCKS, Greater Mt Zion, KCMO, Straightway Baptist Church, KCMO, Linwood Presbyterian Church for a live recording with the Royal Dixie Wonders.  She was also a featured vocalist at the 19th Hole Night Club, the Jewell Lounge, and Christmas concerts for Schlitz Brewery on behalf of the Economic Opportunity Foundation.  In addition, she was showcased at the Penrod Country Club, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebrations, and performed a three-hour jazz show at the University of Southern Colorado.  She toured with the Whitney Gospel Singers for 11 years to places such as, Mobile, AL, Little Rock, AR, Denver, CO, Gary, IN, Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, Wichita, KS, Tulsa, OK, and Memphis, TN, just to name a few.  The Whitney Singers were also highlighted as the preshow for the Staple Singers in Kansas City, MO.  J’Mae also made television appearances on shows like, Focus on Minorities with John Franklin, and Dimensions in Black with Ms. Chee Chee Williams.

She made things look so simple.  Her talent made room for her in immense places and allowed her to flow into multiple areas including radio, as a Radio Host and local talent scout for the radio program on KPRT, Operation Push.  She was a volunteer teacher, who instructed children to sing who were speech impaired.  Johnnie also coordinated gospel concerts at correctional facilities. She was invited to tour The Republic of South Africa, during the height of apartheid, where she performed concerts in the black townships of Durban Natal, Newcastle, and other surrounding provinces and black communities.  She was awarded first place in the Colorado Christian Songwriter’s Association Competition in 1997, and produced and promoted her own CD project, “Pure Gold.” J’Mae was an accomplished entrepreneur, seamstress, and fashion designer, who co-owned, Jessie & Johnnie’s Beauty and Boutique in Kansas City, Missouri.  These experiences and achievements gave Johnnie the wisdom, knowledge and understanding for her freshman literary endeavor, “Fabrics of My Life.”  Discovered in this book, The fabrics of our lives can reveal the presence of God in a person’s life and show them how God has been actively working in their circumstances and experiences to shape them into the person they are today.

Accomplishment after accomplishment, J’Mae’s life continues to bless all of those who have been blessed enough to have encountered and established relationships with her.

J’Mae was a friend to many, but a sister/friend to a few, Debra Haver, Zenobia Smith, Carolyn Kirkendall, Margaret Wilkens, Regina Gamlin, Carma Snapp, Pat Cato, Maxine Murray, Althera Wade, and Gayle Turner.  She was a friend that celebrated friendship by throwing, “All About You Parties.”  She would gather and celebrate her sister/friends, one-by-one, giving them the attention, love, and support that only a sister/friend could appreciate.  Her entire life was sewn together with the fabric of generosity, support, caring, and love to produce this one of a kind woman who touched so many and impacted even more, her life and legacy will live on.

Johnnie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul W. Stewart; her mother, Bertha Mae Chatman Bell; her fathers, Johnnie Lee Chatman, and Frank Reed.

Johnnie Mae Stewart, “J’Mae” entered into rest on November 5, 2020, in Denver, Colorado.  The fabric of her life was sown together with many experiences that shaped and propelled those who captured and understood her purpose and will continue on in her sons, LaVan Davis, Mark H. (Debbie) Stewart, Earl J. Stewart; daughters, Tracy L. Stewart, and Linda Stewart Reynolds; grandchildren, Kamille Reynolds Jones (Morgan Jones), Chelsea Stewart, Deven Stewart; great grandchild, Malahnie Stewart Reynolds; her siblings, Drake E. Bell, Bertha L. Bozeman, Ether Stephens; cousins, Gracie Cooper and the Epperson Family, Chatman/Nelson Family; her godchildren, John Tramble, Rodney Tramble, Lamont Wade, Cheree Wade, Stephanie Jefferson, LaTroy Brinkley, Mike Stachowski, Terry Stachowski, Dierdre Dudley, The Section 8 Crew, and The House of Payne Family; her extended family, Brown/Boykins Family, Armstead/Walker Family; and the New Life Church Family; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many, many friends.