Minnie Johnetta Porter Brannon

Minnie Johnetta Porter Brannon, age 87, lovingly known as “MJ” or “Mama Johnny”, left this world on November 29, 2024. She was born on August 9, 1937, in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Mr. John Thomas Porter and the late Mrs. Minnie Bell Charles Porter.

Johnetta grew up with her devoted and close-knit family in both Ellijay, GA and Atlanta, GA. She was the eldest child and only daughter. She was a spirited girl who played basketball, and she was a cheerleader at Gilmer County High School and later at Hoke Smith High School after the family moved to Atlanta.

After working at Pittsburg Plate Glass (PPG) for many years, she spent the remaining years of her career at Sunbelt Glass and Aluminum as the office manager and corporate treasurer. She retired in 2013. She considered her co-workers as family and was greatly respected in her industry.

Johnetta was a member of Cowan Mill Church, and her faith was a core value of her life. She read her Bible daily. She was known for her generosity, kindness, compassion, and welcoming nature. “The more the merrier” was her motto.

Beyond her career, Johnetta had many interests. She had a passion for reading and enjoyed crossword puzzles. She liked to play trivia and was quite diverse in her knowledge. She loved all sports, with a particular fondness for the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Tech Football. She was an avid fan of her grandchildren and their athletic pursuits. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family. Shopping with her grandchildren was a particular pleasure.

Johnetta took immense joy in being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a true matriarch, leading her family with compassionate strength, vibrant energy, delightful humor and unequalled generosity and grace.

In addition to her parents, Johnetta was preceded in death by her son, Leroy Jackson Brannon, Jr. her beloved brothers, Christoper Charles Porter and Joseph David Porter; sister in law, Patricia Darnell Porter; son in law, Grady Michael Carder; and grandchild, Mary M. Carder.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Lee Brannon Carder and Christy Brannon Berry (Robert Mahlkuch); grandchildren, Melissa Carder Hinton (Reverend Michael Hinton), Megan Carder Hixson (Joshua Hixson), Meredith Carder Keating (Reverend Justin Keating), Thomas D. Berry and Katherine Elizabeth Berry; great grandchildren, Carder Holland and Carson Hinton, Carlee Hixson and Grady Hixson, Landry and Lynnex Keating, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and so many friends who were like family to her. 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Douglasville, Georgia. Her funeral service will be held at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Douglasville on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 11:00 AM with Reverend Justin Keating officiating. She will be laid to rest in Ellijay City Cemetery, in Ellijay, Georgia, following the funeral service.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home and Crematory of Douglasville is in charge of the arrangements. 770-942-2311