Johnsie Belle Hartis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Johnsie B. Bruce Hartis, 98+ years young, was called to Glory by her Savior on Thursday, May 19th, 2022, from her current home in Monroe, NC, formerly of Indian Trail, NC. She was carried peacefully by angels from Jessi and Debbie’s hands and greeted by a multitude of family and friends celebrating her home. Johnsie was born December 16, 1923, in Alexander County, NC, the fifth of fifteen children to Mack Thomas and Mary Estie Head Bruce. While working in Charlotte, she met Howie L. Hartis of Indian Trail, NC, marrying him on July 25, 1945. They shared a life of joys and service to others, before his passing two days prior to their 37th anniversary. Family and friends speak of Johnsie with terms such as “one of a kind”, faithful, dedicated, caring, funny, hardworking, “tough as nails”, and honest. You had to truly know her to understand a few of those terms and to really know her was to love her. She will always be “an unforgettable character”. She loved her Lord, her family, her church family, and her dear friends. She was faithful to them, and most will never comprehend just how much she loved them. She was proud of her heritage from the hills and of her life built in Union County. Although not highly educated, nor rich by worldly standards, Johnsie was always thankful God provided for her needs and she found the best in every single situation she faced. She had been employed in restaurant work, Hudson Hosiery Mill, Kenneth Home Fashions, Perfect Fit Industries, caring for others, and, most cherished, as a church caretaker. In addition to her parents and husband, Johnsie was predeceased by siblings Ralph, Alma, Elva, Sadie, Troy, Rex, Margaret, Jessie, Frankie, Mary Alice, Jerry, Clifford, and Maxine; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, and cousins, including a niece, Joan B. Toussaint, also her caregiver prior to her own illness/passing. Those left blessed to cherish her memory are her niece/care-giver, Debra Fox Taylor of the home, whom she raised; great-niece & husband/care-givers, Jessica & Justin Crump of the home; sister & brother-in-law, Hilda & Howard Mayle of San Diego, CA; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also, surviving are the “chosen” family, Carolyn Digh Griffin & husband, Hoyle, of Waxhaw, NC, and other “adopted kids” from Johnsie and Howie’s years as beloved caretakers/members of Wilson Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC. Memorial services will take place Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at First Baptist Church Indian Trail, where Johnsie served many roles, including VBS worker, choir member, and greeter, and had the honor as the oldest member of the congregation. Visitation will be 11:00-11:45 am, with her Celebration of Life following at 12:00 pm. Home-going service will be led by Rev. Mike Whitson and Rev. Sammy Thomas, with family memories shared by a nephew, Jon Kerley, and niece, Debra Taylor. Pallbearers will be Justin Crump, Robert Miller, Jon Kerley, Tim Price, Hal Howard, and James Maye. Honorary pallbearers include Randy Morrison, JR Pressley, and Vance Taylor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials on her behalf be made to: First Baptist Church Indian Trail-Music/Children’s Ministries, P O Box 2550, Indian Trail, NC 28079: Hospice of Union County, 704 W. Roosevelt Rd, Monroe, NC 28110, or, Pisgah UMC/Cemetery Fund, 488 Hill Farm Rd, Hiddenite, NC 28636. This follows Johnsie’s belief of giving flowers to the living for their enjoyment, not once they have passed. We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Andrew Kindal/Dove Internal Medicine and to Dr. David Browning/CEENTA for their tireless, compassionate care for our loved one over the years. We also acknowledge the kindness and care provided by Atrium Health-Monroe, the ultimate dedication of Hospice-Union County and RN, Tiffany P., as her health rapidly declined, and to Heritage Funeral Home in these last days.

Tributes

Johnsie Belle Hartis

December 16, 1923 - May 19, 2022