Mildred Eleanor Driskill Davis Johnson was born December 4, 1930, in Toledo, Ohio, to the union of John C. Driskill and Annie Belle Driskill. She transitioned peacefully into the presence of the Lord on April 1, 2023.

Mildred and her parents moved to the north side of Akron as a child. Mildred attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from West High School in 1948. Following graduation, she relocated to Columbus, Ohio, to work for the state. While living in Columbus, she met and married her husband, Evangelist John Smith Davis, in 1951. From this union, four children were born, each in a different city, due to multiple ministerial relocations. Due to situations beyond their control, Mildred and her children returned to Akron in 1961. She held various jobs, supporting her children, including switchboard operator at a local hospital and legal secretary for Attorney Spruill. Mildred graduated from The University of Akron in 1975 with an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science.

Eventually, Mildred became the executive secretary to Pete Bommarito, president of the United Rubber Workers. There she excelled in secretarial work and was known for her shorthand skills. Mildred’s skills allowed her to accompany the senior executives for weeks during crucial union negotiations with the rubber companies. Mildred retired from the URW in 1993 after over 20 years of service. She relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1993 after marrying Cleveland Johnson, Sr. She returned to Akron after their brief marriage ended with his untimely passing.

A lifelong learner, she loved reading and discussing the Word of God, studying the Bible, and reading faith-based articles and books. Mildred loved traveling, going on cruises, and enjoyed visiting the Caribbean Islands. She had a great sense of style and loved beautiful clothes and accessories, often modeling one-of-a-kind and customized attire. An early adopter of juicing in the 1970s, Mildred enthusiastically introduced her family to healthy eating and natural supplements. She believed in caring for the body God gave her by walking and staying fit. Mildred enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, especially preparing holiday meals.

Mildred gave her heart to the Lord as a child and attended the Original Church of God on Coburn St. in her youth. She later joined the Robert Street Church of God (now Arlington Church of God) under Pastor Robert L. Fowler. She was active in the choir, singles ministry, Bible study and prayer groups, and the senior ministry. Mildred could always be found sitting in her favorite seat at church, where she would be joyfully praising the Lord. She was a faithful supporter of the National Association of the Church of God and looked forward to attending the annual camp meeting in West Middlesex, PA.

She was the definition of a prayer warrior and intercessor and fiercely protective of her family’s spiritual health and well-being. She loved to spend time with her three grandchildren, often babysitting Camille and Jason in Akron and jet setting to California to visit Tanisha. She loved and doted on them, who affectionately called her “Grandma Mil.”

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, former husband, John Smith Davis, husband Cleveland Johnson, daughter, Eleanor Davis, and grandson, Jason Davis (aka “Grandma’s Boy”).

Cherishing her love and memory are daughter, Michele Davis, sons, Michael Davis, and John Christopher (Carla) Davis; granddaughters, Tanisha Preer and Camille Davis, and brother, John Mobley. She also leaves many close friends and family members.