Mayme Hatcher is known for being the wife of Bumpy Johnson, a notorious mob boss, gangster, and criminal. Moreover, there have been numerous film and television adaptations depicting Bumpy Johnson’s criminal activities.
Who is Mayme Hatcher?
Mayme Hatcher Johnson was originally from a town near Ashville, N.C. However, in 1938, she relocated to New York and started working as a waitress at Hagar’s, a club in Washington Heights owned by famous actress Ethel Waters. Later on, she worked as a hostess at a restaurant in Manhattan.
It was a twist of fate that Mayme Hatcher and Bumpy Johnson crossed paths in 1948. While dining at a restaurant on Seventh Avenue near 122d Street, Mrs. Johnson coincidentally encountered Johnson.
Initially, she dismissed him, but he joined her and engaged her in a captivating conversation. They ended up leaving the restaurant together and even watched a movie. Three months later, they tied the knot.
Mayme Hatcher was married to Bumpy Johnson, a notorious American drug kingpin, criminal, and mafia leader. The pair first crossed paths in June of 1968 and subsequently tied the knot in October of 1948.
Johnson’s numerous incarcerations and involvement in criminal acts caused their marriage to be tumultuous. However, unlike her partner, she has managed to keep her reputation clean and prefers to lead a peaceful and trouble-free life.
What happened to Bumpy Johnson?
After leaving high school, Bumpy Johnson began using drugs and quickly became entangled in criminal activities. Frustrated with his actions, his parents decided to send him to Harlem, leaving his hometown of South Carolina behind.
After arriving in Harlem, the situation deteriorated for him. He connected with Madame Stephanie St. Clair and eventually rose to become her top assistant in the early 1930s. Additionally, Johnson and St. Clair engaged in a conflict with the notorious New York gang leader, Dutch Schultz.
The altercation led to over 40 fatalities and multiple abductions. Additionally, Mayme Hatcher’s husband was apprehended in 1952 for possessing illicit substances. Furthermore, he served nearly 15 years in Alcatraz prison for involvement in drug-related conspiracies.
Bumpy’s involvement in illegal activities served as a source of inspiration for numerous filmmakers, resulting in the production of various films and shows.
He was previously affiliated with Charles “Lucky” Luciano but eventually became a recognized member of the Genovese Criminal Family. Johnson even referenced Bumpy in the lyrics of Mac Dre’s song Genie The Lamp.
Shaft Moses Gun, Come Back Charleston Blue, Hoodlum, American Gangster, and The Cotton Club are among the films featuring his character. Furthermore, his character was also portrayed in TV shows such as Unsolved Mysteries, The Wire, and Godfather of Harlem.
Sadly, he passed away from heart failure on July 7, 1968, and was believed to have been involved in a drug conspiracy. He was laid to rest near Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.
Where is Mayme Hatcher now?
At the age of 94, Mayme Hatcher Johnson passed away on May 1 due to heart failure at Kearsley, a retirement community in West Philadelphia.
Mrs. Johnson, who was the wife of a renowned gangster from Harlem, had relocated to Philadelphia in 2004 after her husband died in 1968. In 2008, she published a book titled “Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson.”
