Obituary

Paula Maxine Johnson, a woman whose life was a testament to faith, family, and beautiful melodies, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 27, 1945, to Maygo and Ruth (Rountree) Johnson. On May 21, 2025, with a peaceful heart and the words, “I’m ready, God,” Paula was gently called to her eternal home in glory.

Paula’s spiritual journey began early at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK, where she faithfully served as the Director of BTU. In 1963, she moved to California to lovingly support her big sister, Dixie. There, Paula continued to nurture her deep faith, becoming a cherished choir member at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Her dedication led her to become one of the founding members of Glory Bound Missionary Baptist Church in Compton, where she brightened spirits as the announcement clerk. Later, she lent her beautiful voice to the choir at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church in Compton. In 2013, Paula felt the call to return home, coming full circle to Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where she was honored as a Church Mother, concluding her earthly spiritual journey right where it began.

Paula graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1963. She was the heart of her family’s kitchen, celebrated for her delicious cooking that brought everyone together. Beyond her culinary talents, Paula was blessed with an anointed singing voice, which touched countless lives with her melodies.

Paula’s parents, Maygo and Ruth (Rountree) Johnson, and her brother, Gray Johnson, preceded her in death.

Her memory will forever live on in our hearts, filled with warmth and countless cherished moments. On May 22, 1976, Paula married the love of her life, Thomas Covington Sr. Her greatest joy arrived with the birth of her “baby boy,” her handsome, bouncing son, Thomas Covington Jr. (Katie) of Tulsa, OK. Tommy was truly her heart and life. Paula was also blessed with an extended loving family, including sons Kelly Jackson of Rialto, CA, Dewallis Harris (AKA Teddy), and daughter Teresa Favors (Eddie) of Compton, CA. Her Goddaughter, Juanita Glass (Felton) of Downey, CA, held a special place in her heart. She also leaves behind three grandsons: Thomas Covington III (AKA Trey) of Victorville, CA, Anthony Pigoni-Covington, and Andrew Pigoni-Covington, both of Mt. Shasta, CA. Paula is also survived by her brother Michael Johnson (Denesha) of Victorville, CA, and extended family brother Raymond Cotton of Tulsa, OK. Her sisters Dixie Calmese of Woodville, CA, Cordell Hooks and Sheila Thomas of Los Angeles, CA, Brenda Griffin (John) of Ferris, TX, and Christina Johnson-Pankey of Tulsa, OK, cousins Dianne Deckard of Gardena, CA, and Louise Simpson of Gardena, CA, and Brianna Lyons of Tulsa, OK. Paula is also lovingly remembered by her two brothers-in-law, Larry Covington (Patricia) of Inglewood, CA, and Earnest Covington of Los Angeles, CA, and five sisters-in-law: Belinda Covington, Jean Covington, and Gladys Covington, all of Los Angeles, CA, Bobbie Covington-Collins (Marc) of Buena Park, CA, and Terri Covington of Palmdale, CA. She leaves a vast legacy of nephews, great-nephews, great-great-nephews, nieces, great-nieces, great-great-nieces, and cousins.