Rev. Dr. Martha E Granger

Reverend Dr. Martha Elizabeth Johnson Granger, 81, was born on January 3, 1941, in Louisville, KY to Arthur Johnson and Dora Spencer Cargile, and departed this earthly life, entering her heavenly, eternal resting place on Thursday, September 1, 2022.
Rev. Granger relocated to Evansville at an early age, attended Lincoln School and graduated from Central High School. She was an alumnus of Lockyear College, the University of Evansville, Trinity College of the Bible & Theological Seminary, and earned her doctoral degree from the Ministerial Institute & College. Rev. Granger retired from Bristol Myers Squibb.
Ordained and admitted in Full Connection in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Granger received her first pastoral assignment to Chapel of Emmanuel (formerly Barnhill Temple) in Evansville, IN. Over her nearly 40-year ministry, she pastored multiple CME churches throughout Evansville, IN and Western KY. In 2007, she earned the distinguished honor of being appointed as the 1st female Presiding Elder in the Evansville-Hopkinsville District serving a total of 8 years in this capacity. Her final pastoral assignment was her beloved Phillips Chapel CME Church in Elkton, KY.
Rev. Granger was a trailblazing community activist, evidenced by being the co-founder of Evansville Special People (ESP) established in the 1970's, which focused on housing, flooding, and other issues in plaguing the under-served Black community. She served as a Mayoral appointee on several boards, and commissions, including the Evansville Housing Authority-EHA.
Rev. Granger fiercely loved her family affectionately calling them “My Group". Known to end every conversation with, "I love you more!", she held many titles, her favorites were Mom, Nana, and "Rev". She was known to always have her kids and grandkids in tow as she traveled to churches and CME conferences. She would be mad if her family didn’t show up! ��
Fishing and discussing politics with Jimmy, penny shopping and bargain hunting with Dot, cooking and traveling with Carolyn, watching tennis and sports with Honey, visiting wherever Nino and Reggie lived, and daily phone calls with Barbara, her sister, were all things Rev. Granger cherished, and will be sorely missed. She could Preach, was a skilled orator, quick-witted and had a great sense of humor.
Preceding her in eternal transition are her father, Arthur “Pap” Johnson, mother, Dora “Mama Dora” Spencer Cargile, stepfather James “Jim” Cargile, son, Mark Granger, brother, Arthur “Brother” Johnson, and great-grandson, Ysrael Johnson.
Left to cherish her memory are son, James “Jimmy” Granger, daughters, Carolyn Presley, ReDonna “Honey” Johnson, Dora “Dot” Granger, all of Evansville, IN, and SonJanita Jordan (Reggie) of Independence, MO; sister, Barbara Mitchell of Louisville, KY; grandchildren: Cheree Tomlinson, Jennifer Johnson, Alaina Johnson, Danyelle Granger, ReNiesha Bonds, RaShawnda Bonds, Amber Johnson, Bryan W. Bruce, Jr., Keenyn Wallace II, Chad Jordan, Martha Howell and Ricky White, Jr.; 24 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; 1 niece; 7 nephews; best friend, Portia Cook, a host of relatives, friends, colleagues, her special faith family, and her fab dog, Oliver.