Mrs. Johnnie Mae Bright, was born September 9, 1945 in Charlotte NC to the parents Joe Stitt and Virginia Stewart Williams and stepfather Garfield Williams (Yogi) all deceased. Johnnie transitioned to eternal life on Tuesday May 12, 2020 at Atrium Health-Main in Charlotte NC.

Johnnie was educated in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. She went to York Road and attended Johnson C. Smith University and studied Early Childhood Development. She did Home Daycare for 10 years.

She loved to entertain and being around her family and friends. She was a faithful fan of the Carolina Panthers and did get to a attend a few home games. She was a member of Middle Street AME Zion Church, where she was a member of the choir for several years.

She married November 7, 1975 to Earl Eugene Bright who was a loving, caring and devoted husband for 45 years.

Johnnie was preceded in death by her sisters Mildred Dunlap, Edythe Stewart, and Fannie Louise Harrison (Judge), brother Henry Stewart and Donnie Cauthen, where a whole generation has now rejoined together.

She leaves  to cherish fond memories her daughters, Rochelle Gilliard, Wanda Gilliar; sons, Rodney Gilliard, Frank Gilliard and special son, James Crawford (Trina); grandchildren, Marquarius Gilliard, Cordvontay Sexton, Khadeejah Sexton, Terrence Holmes, Vanessa Holmes, and Tyrese Miller, great grandchildren, Khy'ionna Gilliard, kingston Sexton, Marquarius and Da'Quarius Gilliard, and a host of nieces and nephews, in which she played a major role in their lives and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.