Mayme Hatcher Johnson Still Alive: Unraveling The Truth

Prof. Chaz Pollich IV

29 Jul, 2025

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Many folks wonder about the real people behind the stories we see on screen, and it's almost, that, a lot of curiosity surrounds Mayme Hatcher Johnson. People often ask, "Is Mayme Hatcher Johnson still alive?" This question comes up quite a bit, especially with renewed interest in the Harlem crime scene of yesteryear and the figures who shaped it. It's a very natural thing to want to know what happened to the strong individuals who lived through such remarkable times.

The truth, as a matter of fact, can sometimes be a little different from what we might hope or imagine. Mayme Hatcher Johnson, a woman of considerable grit and quiet strength, who was the wife of Harlem crime boss Bumpy Johnson, lived a long and full life. She was, you know, a pivotal figure in her own right, maintaining a steadfast marriage despite many challenges that came with her husband's notorious life.

So, to address that pressing question directly, Mayme Hatcher Johnson is not still with us today. She passed away, actually, on Friday, May 1, 2009. She was 94 years old at the time of her passing, a really impressive age, and her life story, in a way, continues to resonate with many who are interested in history and resilience. Her legacy, you know, is definitely still felt.

Mayme Hatcher Johnson: A Life Story
Personal Details and Bio Data
The Marriage to Bumpy Johnson
A Homemaker and Author
Her Fight for Equality
The Daughters of Bumpy and Mayme
Her Final Years and Passing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Remembering Mayme Hatcher Johnson

Mayme Hatcher Johnson: A Life Story

Mayme Hatcher Johnson was, in some respects, far more than just the wife of a famous Harlem figure. She was born in North Carolina in 1915, and she made her way to New York City in the 1930s. It was there, actually, where she eventually met and married Ellsworth Johnson, who was, of course, better known as Bumpy Johnson. Her life, it seems, was always intertwined with the vibrant, sometimes turbulent, world of Harlem.

She gained a certain level of popularity, you know, as “Bumpy’s Girl” after her marriage to the renowned American gangster, Ellsworth Raymon Bumpy Johnson. Their connection was a powerful one, and it lasted for two decades until Bumpy's passing. Mayme, apparently, maintained a steadfast marriage, showing remarkable strength and loyalty through all the ups and downs that came with being married to a man who ruled the Harlem underworld.

Her story, you know, is not just about her husband. It’s also about her own experiences, her quiet resilience, and her contributions. She lived a relatively private life after Bumpy’s death, yet she continued to be respected within Harlem’s community until she passed away. Mayme Hatcher Johnson, in a way, left her own unique mark on history, extending beyond her famous marriage.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Full Name	Mayme Hatcher Johnson
Born	1915 (Born in North Carolina)
Died	May 1, 2009
Age at Death	94 years old
Cause of Death	Heart failure / Respiratory failure
Place of Death	Kearsley, a retirement community in West Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Nationality	American
Spouse	Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson (Married October 1948)
Children	Daughters (e.g., Elease Johnson)
Known For	Wife of Bumpy Johnson, Author of “Harlem Godfather”
Residence	Harlem (most of her life), Philadelphia (from 2003)

The Marriage to Bumpy Johnson

The relationship between Mayme Hatcher and Bumpy Johnson was, you know, a truly significant part of her life story. They tied the knot in October 1948, which was, remarkably, just six months after their first meeting. Mayme was 34 years old when she married Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson, who was, in fact, around nine years older than her. Their marriage, in a way, stood the test of time, lasting for two decades until Bumpy's passing.

Despite the kind of criminal activities Bumpy ventured into and his reputation as a mob boss and gangster, Mayme Hatcher Johnson remained his steadfast wife. Their bond, it seems, was incredibly strong. The text even mentions that four years into their marriage, she was awakened from her sleep and told that her husband had been shot by a street tough named Fred Hawk. This, actually, gives us a glimpse into the constant danger that surrounded their lives.

Their marriage, as a matter of fact, was depicted in the 2007 film "American Gangster," where Bumpy Johnson was portrayed. This brought their story to a wider audience, but Mayme herself, you know, wanted to tell the real truth about Bumpy to the world. She aimed to honor her husband’s memory and correct any misconceptions about him. This desire, in a way, became a driving force for her later work.

A Homemaker and Author

For much of her life, Mayme Hatcher was a homemaker, creating a stable environment despite the turbulent world her husband inhabited. She lived, as it were, a retired senior life in her later years. However, her desire to share her husband’s true story led her to become an author. She wrote a book about her husband, which was published in 2008, just a year before her own passing. This book, you know, truly became a significant part of her legacy.

The biography she penned was titled “Harlem Godfather.” One of her main motives in writing the book was, apparently, her anger at how her husband’s story was often portrayed. She wanted to set the record straight, to give a more accurate and personal account of Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson. The book, in some respects, details not only his criminal life but also his personal life, offering insights into their relationship and Bumpy’s connection to Harlem.

Being a proud author at 93, Mayme Hatcher Johnson shared her story as Bumpy Johnson’s wife. Her book became a key source for understanding Bumpy's life and the dynamics of their family. It provided, you know, a unique perspective from someone who lived intimately with a legendary figure, offering details that no one else could. This contribution, actually, has been invaluable to historians and fans alike.

Her Fight for Equality

Beyond her role as a wife and author, Mayme Hatcher Johnson was, quite surprisingly to some, also an African American civil rights activist and politician. The provided text tells us she played a pivotal role in the fight for equality and justice in the United States. This aspect of her life, you know, often goes unnoticed when people focus solely on her connection to Bumpy Johnson.

Her organizing skills, it seems, were essential to the success of the civil rights movement. She was described as a tireless organizer who dedicated her life to fighting for equality and justice. This demonstrates that Mayme was, in a way, a woman of substance and conviction, with a deep commitment to social change. Her involvement, apparently, shows a side of her that was truly dedicated to improving the lives of others.

This commitment to civil rights, you know, adds another layer to her remarkable life story. It paints a picture of a woman who, despite being married to a figure of the underworld, also harbored a strong desire for a better, fairer society. It’s a powerful testament, actually, to her character and her dedication beyond her personal circumstances. Her efforts, in a way, contributed to a larger cause.

The Daughters of Bumpy and Mayme

The lives of Bumpy Johnson's family, especially his daughters, are prominently featured in various media, and this includes Mayme’s own book. Their daughters, you know, faced hardships that were often connected to Bumpy’s activities. This gives us a glimpse into the personal cost of the lifestyle that Bumpy led, and how it impacted those closest to him.

Elease Johnson, sometimes spelled Elise, was the eldest child of Bumpy Johnson and his wife, Mayme. She was born in 1941 and was, in fact, the only child of Bumpy and Mayme Hatcher Johnson. Although she was initially raised by her mother, Elise eventually moved in with her father. This detail, you know, offers a look into the family dynamics and the choices made within their unique household.

The text mentions that some names are synonymous with the gangster and drug trafficker lifestyle, and Bumpy Johnson’s legendary name continues long after his death through his daughter and granddaughter. This suggests that the impact of his life, and by extension, Mayme’s life, extended across generations. It’s a reminder, actually, that even in such extraordinary circumstances, family connections remain strong and enduring.

Her Final Years and Passing

Mayme Hatcher Johnson moved to Philadelphia in 2003, spending her final years in the city. She passed away on Friday, May 1, 2009. At the time of her death, she was 94 years old. The cause of her passing was attributed to both heart failure and respiratory failure, which occurred at Kearsley, a retirement community in West Philadelphia. Her death, you know, marked the end of a long and truly impactful life.

Her passing was noted in Philadelphia, PA, as Mayme Hatcher Johnson, a native of North Carolina who had spent most of her life in Harlem, died there. She was, in fact, a proud author at 93, having shared her story as Bumpy Johnson’s wife just a year before her death. Her life, you know, spanned nearly a century, witnessing immense changes in society and in the world around her.

Mayme Hatcher Johnson, the widow of former Harlem underworld boss Bumpy Johnson, truly lived a life that commanded respect. She continued to be respected within Harlem’s community until she passed away in 2009. Her legacy, in a way, is one of resilience, loyalty, and a quiet determination to tell her truth and contribute to a better world. Her memory, actually, still resonates with many who look back at that era.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Was Mayme Hatcher Johnson an author?

Yes, she was, actually, a proud author. Mayme Hatcher Johnson wrote a biography about her husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, titled “Harlem Godfather.” The book was published in 2008, just a year before she passed away. Her motive, in a way, was to tell the real truth about Bumpy and to correct misconceptions about him, offering a very personal account of his life and their marriage.

When did Mayme Hatcher Johnson pass away?

Mayme Hatcher Johnson passed away on Friday, May 1, 2009. She was 94 years old at the time of her death. Her passing was due to heart failure and respiratory failure, and it occurred at Kearsley, a retirement community located in West Philadelphia. Her long life, you know, spanned nearly a century, leaving behind a significant personal story.

Did Mayme Hatcher Johnson have children with Bumpy Johnson?

Yes, Mayme Hatcher Johnson and Bumpy Johnson had a daughter named Elease Johnson, who was sometimes spelled Elise. She was born in 1941 and was, in fact, their only child. The lives of Bumpy Johnson’s family, particularly his daughters, are prominently featured in various media, and their experiences were, you know, connected to Bumpy’s life and activities.

Remembering Mayme Hatcher Johnson

While the question "Is Mayme Hatcher Johnson still alive?" often arises, the truth is that she lived a long, impactful life and passed away in 2009. Her story, you know, is far more than just her connection to a notorious figure. She was a woman of incredible strength, a devoted wife, a homemaker, and, in fact, an author who sought to share her unique perspective on history. Her book, “Harlem Godfather,” stands as a powerful testament to her desire to honor her husband’s memory and tell the true story as she knew it. It’s a very important source for understanding that era.

Her life also included a significant, though perhaps less publicized, role as an African American civil rights activist and politician. She dedicated her life, apparently, to fighting for equality and justice, showcasing a commitment that went beyond her personal circumstances. This aspect of her life, you know, truly highlights her character and her desire to make a difference in the world. To learn more about on our site, and link to this page . You can also explore more about the historical context of Harlem during that period by visiting a reputable historical archive.