Life Story for Fannie Mae Johnson Backey
Her Story
It was once said that not just life, but a good life is to be valued
above all. With over 82 years of fulfilled good living on earth,
the days and times of Mother Fannie Mae Johnson Backey was
the grand epitome of this very principle.
Daughter of the late Costa Buchanna and Betty Sawyer, she
graced the world with her presence on September 23, 1936, in
Tallahassee, Florida. She attended the Leon County public
schools. Upon graduation, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida,
where she began her career as a Dietician working for several
businesses such as the Jacksonville Sheriff Office, Duval Medical Center, Arlington Manor
Nursing Facility as kitchen supervisor and Duval County Public Schools until she retired.
On April 26, 1955, she married Jake Eugene Johnson, and together they conceived 10
children. They were married for 33 years until his death on November 25, 1989. On
December 11, 1991, she wed Mr. Daniel Backey wherein she became the stepmother to 3
more children. After working several different jobs as a dietician and raising a large
number of children, Fannie became known as one of the best cooks, preparing large meals
and feeding everyone with a loving heart. She continued to cook after retirement,
becoming one of the main cooks at her Church, Mt. Bethel. She was permitted by Pastor
Herring to name the culinary ministry “The Bread of Life.”
Fannie was well known for her kind heart and gentle spirit. She was such a very soft
spoken woman with a beautiful smile and was always willing to go that extra mile when it
came to helping others. Fannie was part of the first class of inductees to the church’s
Mothers Board. She loved her church family and was very devoted to both her pastors
(Rev. S. A. Thomas and Rev. R. E. Herring).
On the night of June 21, 2019, angels from heaven peacefully came down to carry her
home to heaven where she joined her parents; her husbands; her sisters, Ruby Harris,
Elizabeth Sawyer and Emma Lafayette; brother, Robert Buchanna; sons, Reginald and
Ronald Johnson; and daughter, Carolyn McCraw.
She leaves to cherish her memory loving children:
Wilhelmina, Janice, Susie, Barbara, Arthur (Valerie) and Kenneth; two of her
grandchildren that were raised by her as her own, Joseph and Shaquille; two
step-daughters, Glenda and Venus, and one step-son, Gregory; five sisters and two
brothers; 16 grands, 45 great-grands and 21 great-great-grands;
a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, devoted friends,
to include three that were especially
committed: Joan, Greg and Gary.
It was once said that not just life, but a good life is to be valued
above all. With over 82 years of fulfilled good living on earth,
the days and times of Mother Fannie Mae Johnson Backey was
the grand epitome of this very principle.
Daughter of the late Costa Buchanna and Betty Sawyer, she
graced the world with her presence on September 23, 1936, in
Tallahassee, Florida. She attended the Leon County public
schools. Upon graduation, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida,
where she began her career as a Dietician working for several
businesses such as the Jacksonville Sheriff Office, Duval Medical Center, Arlington Manor
Nursing Facility as kitchen supervisor and Duval County Public Schools until she retired.
On April 26, 1955, she married Jake Eugene Johnson, and together they conceived 10
children. They were married for 33 years until his death on November 25, 1989. On
December 11, 1991, she wed Mr. Daniel Backey wherein she became the stepmother to 3
more children. After working several different jobs as a dietician and raising a large
number of children, Fannie became known as one of the best cooks, preparing large meals
and feeding everyone with a loving heart. She continued to cook after retirement,
becoming one of the main cooks at her Church, Mt. Bethel. She was permitted by Pastor
Herring to name the culinary ministry “The Bread of Life.”
Fannie was well known for her kind heart and gentle spirit. She was such a very soft
spoken woman with a beautiful smile and was always willing to go that extra mile when it
came to helping others. Fannie was part of the first class of inductees to the church’s
Mothers Board. She loved her church family and was very devoted to both her pastors
(Rev. S. A. Thomas and Rev. R. E. Herring).
On the night of June 21, 2019, angels from heaven peacefully came down to carry her
home to heaven where she joined her parents; her husbands; her sisters, Ruby Harris,
Elizabeth Sawyer and Emma Lafayette; brother, Robert Buchanna; sons, Reginald and
Ronald Johnson; and daughter, Carolyn McCraw.
She leaves to cherish her memory loving children:
Wilhelmina, Janice, Susie, Barbara, Arthur (Valerie) and Kenneth; two of her
grandchildren that were raised by her as her own, Joseph and Shaquille; two
step-daughters, Glenda and Venus, and one step-son, Gregory; five sisters and two
brothers; 16 grands, 45 great-grands and 21 great-great-grands;
a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, devoted friends,
to include three that were especially
committed: Joan, Greg and Gary.