Mrs. Willie Bell Johnson was born to the union of Mr. Carey and Mrs. Ida Person on October 1, 1943, In Randolph, Alabama. She was a member of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Munford, Alabama and thoroughly enjoyed gospel music. When she attended church, she was not ashamed to sing, clap, and give praise to God. Willie Bell was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She never met a stranger, had a beautiful smile, and an unforgettable laugh.

Willie Bell was united in holy matrimony to Minister Sidney Johnson on July 17, 2004. Willie Bell departed this life on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama. She was preceded in death by: her daughter, Brenda Cooley, and her siblings, Doris Cooley, Jewell Cooley, Elizabeth Drummond, Cephus Person, C. P. Person, and Willie B. Person.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Minister Sidney Johnson of Heflin, Alabama; two daughters, Darlene Cooley and Ilene Green of Heflin, Alabama; three sons, Benton (Eris) Cooley of Heflin, Alabama, Antonio (Shaunyetta) Cooley and Fredrick Cooley of Atlanta, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Merna "Sis" Person; thirteen grandchildren, Victoria (Austin) Glanville of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Benton (JerriAnn) Cooley, Britttany (Dr. Demetrius) Scott, Verna Cooley, Dexter Green, and Robert Cooley, all of Alabama; Diara Shoulder, Michael Johnson, Jasper Green, Christopher Green, Marcus Cooley, Antonio Cooley, Jr., and Antonie Cooley, all of Atlanta, Georgia; fourteen great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.