There is Only So Much a Grandmother Can Do

Another grandma is praying for a grandson who is in police custody. This time it is Susie Johnson, 80, of Denver. She has raised twenty-five grandchildren! One grandson, Willie Clark, was picked up on a parole violation, and is being questioned in connection with the drive-by murder of Denver Bronco cornerback Darrent Williams, who was also raised by his own grandmother.

Mrs. Johnson also raised another grandson, Raymond Johnson, a gang member, who shot and killed a three-year-old child who was asleep in a car parked outside a house in Denver. Johnson was shooting at the house, because a rival gang member lived in the house. Johnson is now serving a life sentence.

To support her grandchildren while she raised them, Mrs. Johnson worked two eight-hour shifts, cleaning hospital and hotel rooms for most of her life, until she developed blood clots in her legs. Do you suppose anyone ever called Social Services about children being left unattended in that home? And what did Social Services do? Nothing? Why? Because they are black?

The photo of Mrs. Johnson is by R.J. Sangosti of the Denver Post.