Willie Rae Johnson is Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson's mother. She is married to Brenda's father, Clay. She lives in Atlanta and has traditional values. When Brenda's parents come to visit, Brenda goes to great lengths to hide the fact that she and Fritz Howard, her boyfriend, are living together. Willie Rae dotes on Clay, but also blows off his blustering and covers for her daughter when it comes to him. She is fascinated by Los Angeles and by her daughter's job.