Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1904. Orphaned at age four, she was raised by the Davis family. She attended Dallas Colored High School and Fisk University before applying to the School of Applied Social Sciences at Western Reserve University. Johnson graduated in 1928 with a master's degree in social work. As a social worker, Johnson was first employed by Associated Charities of Cleveland, Ohio. Later, she worked for the Cuyahoga County Department of Welfare in conjunction with the federal program Aid to Dependent Children. She retired in 1961. Johnson married Elmer Cheeks in 1929. They had two sons. Cheeks died in 1941, and Johnson married Raymond Johnson in 1957. He died in 1983. Mrs. Johnson was an active member of Mt. Zion Congregational Church, an avid reader and traveler, and a supporter of a variety of charities. At age 105, she attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Soon after, with the assistance of a freelance writer, she wrote her autobiography. It was published shortly after her death in 2010. The collection consists of annual reports, booklets, book manuscripts, book proofs, brochures, catalogues, certificates, church directories, citations, correspondence, forms, a guest book, an inauguration ticket, lists, magazine articles, newsletter articles, newspaper articles, notes, passports, proclamations, programs, remarks, speeches, and writings.
