Pastor Muriel was born and raised in Baltimore and graduated from Eastern High School. She attended college at Baltimore City Community College and completed religious studies at the Maximum Life School of Biblical Studies.

Prior to joining her husband in full-time ministry, Pastor Muriel worked in the banking industry, for the State of Maryland, and in the music business as administrator for the Zamar Music Group.

Her early religious training took place at the New Metropolitan Baptist Church and she was filled with the Holy Spirit at First Apostolic Faith Church and served under the pastorate of the late Bishop Winfield Showell. She became a vital part of the pioneering work The Fellowship of the Jesus Associates led by Bishop Alfred Reaves where she became a noted vocalist and praise leader.

In 1985 she and her husband Elder Carroll Johnson, Jr. founded Manifested Sons Assembly in the Scotts Branch Elementary School and later changed the name of the ministry to Maximum Life Christian Church. Pastor Muriel has excelled as a preacher, teacher, psalmist, praise leader, counselor, Day Care Director, Summer Camp Director, and Women’s Ministry President. She made history in 2001 as part of the first class of ordained female pastors in the Bible Way World Wide Church. She has been blessed to minister at national conventions and crusades in the United States, England and Nigeria and has been the recipient of the Elizabeth Award for Outstanding Christian Service by Women.

She has been married to Bishop Carroll Johnson, Jr. for over 37 years and has three children, Elder Duane Johnson with his wife Minister Cynthia Johnson and grandson Nolan, Keith Johnson, and daughter Sherry Grant with her husband Tony and three grandchildren, Christopher, Drew and Jewel.