Mayme Hatcher Johnson Age: A Life Spanning Nearly A Century
Have you ever wondered about the incredible lives of individuals who lived through some truly momentous times, people whose stories are perhaps not always front and center? Well, today, we're taking a closer look at Mayme Hatcher Johnson, a woman whose life, so it seems, stretched across almost a full century. Her age, as you might imagine, really does tell a story of its own, reflecting the many years she spent as the wife of the notorious Harlem figure, Bumpy Johnson. People are often quite curious about how long she lived and what her life was like during those years.
It's fascinating, too, how her journey, which began in the early 20th century, saw so many changes in the world around her. Learning about her age helps us appreciate the sheer breadth of her experiences. We'll explore the details of her birth, her life, and her passing, drawing directly from the information we have, which, you know, sometimes offers a few different perspectives on the exact dates.
So, we'll try to piece together the timeline of Mayme Hatcher Johnson's existence, considering the various bits of information available. It's really quite something to think about the span of years she lived, and how her story, arguably, contributes to a larger picture of Harlem's past and the lives connected to it.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Mayme Hatcher Johnson
- Personal Details and Bio Data
- Unraveling Her Birth and Early Life
- Her Marriage to Bumpy Johnson
- A Life as a Homemaker and Loyal Wife
- Later Years and Becoming an Author
- Her Passing and Lasting Memory
- People Also Ask About Mayme Hatcher Johnson Age
- Conclusion
Biography of Mayme Hatcher Johnson
Mayme Hatcher Johnson was, you know, a truly remarkable woman who left a lasting mark on the world, even though much of her public identity was tied to her husband. She was the wife of Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, who was, in a way, known as the kingpin of Harlem. Bumpy Johnson, as it happens, gained quite a bit of notoriety for his criminal activities. Mayme, however, maintained a private familial background, with, it seems, limited details available about her parents or other family members.
Her story, which, arguably, spanned nearly a century, came to its conclusion on a Friday in May. She was a native of North Carolina, born there, and later moved to Harlem, New York, in 1938. This move, you know, marked a rather pivotal moment for her, as she traded the quieter landscapes of North Carolina for the bustling city life. In Harlem, she found work, initially as a waitress at a club, and later, it appears, she became a hostess. She completed her formal studies at a government school, which is, you know, a detail that often goes unmentioned when people talk about her.
Mayme Hatcher Johnson maintained a steadfast marriage to Bumpy, despite the many challenges that came with his life. Their connection, it seems, was more than just a simple partnership. She was, in fact, a very loyal and supportive wife to Bumpy, right up until his death in 1968. After her marriage to Bumpy, Mayme opted to be a homemaker, a role she evidently embraced. She also became an author later in life, sharing her unique story.
Personal Details and Bio Data
Here's a quick look at some key facts about Mayme Hatcher Johnson, gathered from the available information. It's interesting, too, how some details about her birth year, in particular, appear in slightly different accounts.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mayme Hatcher Johnson |
| Known For | Wife of Bumpy Johnson; Author |
| Birthplace (Account 1) | North Carolina |
| Birthplace (Account 2) | New York, United States of America |
| Birth Year (Account 1) | 1914 |
| Birth Year (Account 2) | 1915 |
| Birth Year (Account 3) | 1925 |
| Age (as of 2019, per some accounts) | 94 years old (if born in 1925) |
| Age (as of "now," per some accounts) | 96 (if born in 1925) |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson |
| Marriage Year | 1948 |
| Death Date | May 1, 2009 |
| Age at Death | 94 years old |
| Place of Death | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Kearsley retirement community, West Philadelphia) |
| Cause of Death | Respiratory failure / Heart failure |
| Authored Memoir | "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson" (2008) |
| Age at Memoir Publication | 93 years old |
Unraveling Her Birth and Early Life
When we talk about Mayme Hatcher Johnson's age, the very first thing that comes up is, well, her birth. Our information suggests a few different possibilities for when she came into the world, which can make figuring out her exact age at various points a bit interesting. Some accounts, for instance, point to her being born in North Carolina in 1914. Other sources, you know, say 1915, also in North Carolina. Yet another set of details suggests she was born in New York City in 1925.
It's worth noting, however, that when we look at her reported age at death and when she published her book, a picture starts to emerge. She passed away in 2009 at the age of 94. If you do the simple math, 2009 minus 94 brings us to 1915. Similarly, she authored her memoir, "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson," in 2008, and she was 93 years old at that time. Again, 2008 minus 93 also leads us to 1915. So, it seems, the 1915 birth year aligns quite consistently with her later life events as described.
Mayme, as it happens, made a rather significant transition in 1938, at the age of 24 (if we go by the 1914 birth year, or 23 if 1915). This was when she moved to New York City. She completed her formal studies at a government school, a detail that, you know, highlights her educational background. While we don't have much information about her parents or siblings, it's clear she came from somewhere, and her journey led her to Harlem, a place that would, arguably, define much of her adult life.
Her Marriage to Bumpy Johnson
A very significant part of Mayme Hatcher Johnson's life, as you might expect, was her marriage to Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson. They tied the knot in 1948, and this, you know, marked a truly significant chapter in his tumultuous life as a crime boss in Harlem. Bumpy Johnson, born in 1905, was, in a way, the most famous gangster in Harlem, New York. His nickname, "Bumpy," was given to him due to a large bump on his head, so it's said.
Their marriage, as the text suggests, was one of steadfastness, even with all the challenges that came with Bumpy's lifestyle. Mayme was, in fact, a very loyal and supportive wife to him. She stood by him right until his death in 1968. This period of their lives together, you know, spanned two decades, as they had been married for 20 years when the late crime boss passed away. It speaks, arguably, to the strength of their bond, given the circumstances.
The text also mentions that their daughters faced hardships, which were, it seems, connected to Bumpy's activities. This gives us a little glimpse into the broader impact of his life on their family. Mayme, for her part, maintained a private familial background, choosing to keep details about her parents and other family members rather limited. She, too, was an American citizen, holding American nationality, and she was, in a way, part of a prestigious family, which is quite interesting considering her husband's line of work.
A Life as a Homemaker and Loyal Wife
After her marriage to Bumpy Johnson, Mayme Hatcher Johnson, you know, made a conscious choice to be a homemaker. This was her chosen path, and she dedicated herself to it. She was, as our information tells us, a truly loyal and supportive wife to Bumpy, right up until his passing in July 1968. Bumpy, as it happens, died at the age of 62 due to congestive heart failure. Mayme, it seems, spent a single life after the death of her spouse, meaning she did not remarry.
Her role as a homemaker, in a way, highlights a certain dedication to her family life, especially considering the very public and, arguably, dangerous life her husband led. She maintained a private familial background, which is, you know, something many people in her position might have wanted. It suggests a desire for a degree of normalcy and privacy amidst the extraordinary circumstances of her life.
This period of her life, where she focused on her home and family, really does show a different side to the narrative often associated with her husband. She was, in essence, the quiet anchor in a very turbulent world. Her commitment to Bumpy, for two decades, speaks volumes about her character and resilience. It's, you know, quite a testament to her steadfastness, living through all those years as the wife of a man so deeply involved in the Harlem underworld.
Later Years and Becoming an Author
As Mayme Hatcher Johnson got older, she, you know, embarked on a new and rather significant chapter in her life: becoming an author. In 2008, she penned a memoir, a book called "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson." This book, as it happens, was published when she was 93 years old. It's pretty amazing to think about someone sharing their life story at that age, especially one with such a unique perspective.
Being a proud author at 93, Mayme Hatcher Johnson, it seems, died just a year after sharing her story as Bumpy Johnson's wife. This means her memoir truly was one of her final major contributions. The book, arguably, offers a very personal and intimate look into the life of a legendary figure, as seen through the eyes of the person closest to him. It's a rare glimpse, you know, into the domestic side of a public, and often feared, persona.
She was, at this point, a senior citizen, holding American nationality. Her decision to write and publish her story in her nineties is, in a way, a testament to her enduring spirit and her desire to tell her truth. It allowed her to leave a lasting impact, providing a unique historical record from her own lived experience. This act of authorship, too, really solidified her own place in the narrative, moving beyond just being "Bumpy's wife" to being an individual with her own voice and story to tell.
Her Passing and Lasting Memory
Mayme Hatcher Johnson lived, it seems, a very long and impactful life, coming to its conclusion on Friday, May 1, 2009. She passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Specifically, she died at the Kearsley, which is a West Philadelphia retirement community. Her age at the time of her passing was 94 years old. This age, you know, aligns very consistently with her birth year of 1915, which we discussed earlier.
The information we have about her passing mentions two potential causes. Some accounts state she died of respiratory failure, while others say heart failure. Regardless of the specific medical detail, her death marked the end of a life that, arguably, spanned nearly a century and witnessed immense historical change. She had spent a single life since the death of her spouse, Bumpy Johnson, in 1968, meaning she lived for over 40 years as a widow.
Mayme Hatcher Johnson's legacy, in a way, is multifaceted. She is, of course, remembered as the loyal and supportive wife of a legendary Harlem gangster. But she also became, as we know, an author in her own right, providing a very personal account of her life with Bumpy. Her story, which began in North Carolina and took her to the vibrant streets of Harlem, is a piece of American history, offering insights into a particular era and the lives of those who lived through it. Her memory, you know, lives on through her book and the stories told about her enduring spirit.
People Also Ask About Mayme Hatcher Johnson Age
Here are some common questions people often have when they're curious about Mayme Hatcher Johnson's age and life.
How old was Mayme Hatcher Johnson when she died?
Mayme Hatcher Johnson was 94 years old when she passed away. Her death occurred on May 1, 2009. This age is, you know, quite consistently reported across various pieces of information we have about her life.
When was Mayme Hatcher Johnson born?
Based on the most consistent information available, particularly her age at death and when she published her memoir, Mayme Hatcher Johnson was born in 1915. Although, it's worth noting, some accounts do mention 1914 or 1925 as her birth year. The 1915 date, however, aligns with her being 94 when she died in 2009 and 93 when her book came out in 2008.
What was Mayme Hatcher Johnson known for?
Mayme Hatcher Johnson is primarily known for being the wife of Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, who was, in a way, a very famous Harlem crime boss. She was, you know, a loyal and supportive wife to him for 20 years until his death. Additionally, in her later years, she became an author, publishing a memoir titled "Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson," which, arguably, shared her unique perspective on his life.
Conclusion
Mayme Hatcher Johnson's life, as we've explored, truly spanned a significant period, with her age reflecting decades of change and personal experience. From her birth, most consistently placed in 1915, through her move to Harlem, her marriage to Bumpy Johnson, and her later years as an author, she lived a life that was, in a way, both private and deeply connected to a public, often dramatic, history. Her passing in 2009 at the age of 94 marked the end of a remarkable journey, one that, arguably, offered a unique window into a specific time and place. To learn more about Mayme Hatcher Johnson on our site, and to read more about her extraordinary life, you might want to explore this page, too.
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