Obituary for Marquetta Johnson
Marquetta Johnson, a 69-year-old resident of Atlanta, transitioned to Allah on February 11, 2025. She was the daughter of Charlie and Pauline Bell. Marquetta has been experimenting with a variety of textiles since she was a young child. She was a girl with an inexhaustible supply of energy, which occasionally resulted in her getting into mischief. She was instructed in crocheting by a teacher who was exceedingly attentive to her, which facilitated the channeling of her energy into art and study and initiated a journey of creativity. Her grandmother, Hattie Miles, initiated the process of instructing her on all the conventional quilting tools and techniques.
She mastered surface design techniques such as dyeing, painting, and weaving by working with fabrics. After that, she would incorporate her own design into her textiles. She merges traditional techniques, such as lap stitching, with contemporary art. Marquetta created exceptional works that were distinguished by their distinctive designs and the incorporation of a variety of themes, as well as arbitrary motifs. She identifies herself as a storyteller who employs art as a method of engaging with others, educating them, and restoring herself. She aspires to "improve the world" by integrating traditions from the past with those of the present.
Marquetta has been employed as a teaching artist for more than twenty years. She was passionate about instructing. She consistently dedicated time to teaching, whether it be in schools, civic organizations, community centers, the High Museum of Art, or, most recently, Zoom sessions. Additionally, she has conducted art and quilting seminars throughout the nation. She has leveraged her passion for the arts and her proficiency in the fundamentals of art to inspire and motivate young people to pursue a career in the arts. Furthermore, she was commissioned in 2023 to do 2 quilts for the Stanford Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, named Arizona Cactus Garden Daytime and Cactus Garden Nighttime, and lastly featured at The High Museum of Art.
Furthermore, she was an active participant in the National Black Arts Movement. She was a National Fellow of the Kennedy Center/VSA Arts during her tenure. Additionally, her catastrophic spinal cord injury led to her induction into the Shepherd Center Hall of Fame. In addition, she has been the subject of numerous articles and YouTube videos. Marquetta served as an inspiration to all those with whom she interacted. She will be deeply missed.
Marquetta was preceded in death by her son (Yusef Johnson). She is survived by her husband, Josh Muhammed; son Ashanti Johnson; stepsons Najee Muhammed (Kayla), Ali Muhammad (Melisha), Naim Muhammad (Haiyli); sister, Beverly Hall; brother, Charles Bell (Beverly). Three step grandkids, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
"Direct Quote" from Marquetta - "What I want to do is encourage young people to take up needles, to take up thread, and change the world with it."
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Previous Events
Service
Friday
14
Feb
10:30 AM
Atlanta Masjid of Al- Islam
560 Fayetteville Rd S.E.
Atlanta, Ga 30316
Cemetery Details
Location
Salaam Memorial
3095 Jonesbro Rd SE
Atlanta, GA 30354
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