Carolyn Louise Johnson

Life Reflections

Carolyn Louise Johnson, daughter of the late Mary Atkinson and Lincoln Pollard Johnson, was born on March 28, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia. On Thursday, December 31, 2020, an angel of the Lord quietly escorted her to her new home “Heaven” where she was welcomed by her brother, Charles E. Johnson.

Carolyn was educated in the Richmond Public Schools System and was a 1959 graduate of Armstrong High School. She attended and graduated from Virginia State College (renamed Virginia State University), where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

Carolyn was baptized as an infant at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Old Fulton. It was during her formative years she was catechized by Father George Wickland, of the Redemptorist Order and the Sisters of Verona. In 1952, Holy Rosary Catholic Church was built on the land that was given by her grandmother Charity Booker, thereby making her a descendant of the original thirteen families of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Carolyn Louise was an active participatory member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where she served as the coordinator of First Penance and First Eucharist for more than 50 years. It was her dedication and commitment that allowed her to prepare every child attending Holy Rosary the opportunity to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. She was a good and faithful servant always giving of her time, talents and treasures in any and all ministries of the church. She also taught Religious Education and Vacation Bible School. Over the course of her spiritual life, she served on the Scholarship Committee, Worship Committee, the Church Building and Renovation Committee, the 60th Anniversary Committee, Parrish Council and a Lector. Carolyn was proficient in note taking and had a keen eye for details which she used when serving in the capacity as secretary for most of the committees. Carolyn also used her skills serving on the Board of Directors for the Passion Play for more than 20 years.

After graduating she began her teaching profession as an employee with the City of Richmond Public School System. She began her teaching career at Carver Elementary School and later transferred to J.B. Fisher Elementary School where she taught until her retirement with over fifty years of dedicated service. Carolyn was blessed with innate qualities and skills of an outstanding teacher. Carolyn had a passion for educational excellence and consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to J.B. Fisher Elementary School. While at Fisher Elementary, she had several leadership positions that shaped the school’s culture. Carolyn returned as a volunteer and continued serving students as a reading tutor. Her love of teaching and love of sharing extended above and beyond measure, to ensure students could continue learning and gain newly acquired skills.

For many years Carolyn also found time to work with the Department of Parks and Recreation as a Recreation Instructor. Carolyn was an avid reader. She also enjoyed reading novels and solving crossword puzzles. One of her most loved passions was shopping for unique finds. She perhaps coined the slogan, “Shop until you drop”!

Carolyn was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Upsilon Chapter Richmond, Virginia. She became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1958, Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. She was a Golden Member serving more than 50 years of dedicated service to all mankind. Through the years, she served diligently as Chairperson of the Debutante and Awards Committee where she made an indelible impression on the many young ladies participating in the Debutante Ball. She also served on the following committees: Housing, The Arts, Future Young Leaders, Family Strength, Archives, Protocol, and Standards. Carolyn Louise Johnson was truly called to be of service to all those she encountered.

Carolyn leaves to cherish her loving memories, her siblings, Shirley A. Johnson of Poughkeepsie, NY, Yvonne Johnson Fisher (Christopher T.) of Durham, NC, Lincoln Pollard Johnson Jr. (Jacquelin M.), Deborah P. Johnson, Richmond, VA; four nieces, Cheryl F. Godwin (James), Nicole R. Johnson, Crystal M. Fisher, Natalie R. Johnson; three nephews, Christopher C. Fisher (Farzi), Lamont D. Johnson (Kimberly), and Michael Johnson; several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Her remains rest at Manning Funeral and Cremation Services, 700 N. 25th Street, Richmond, VA  23223 (804) 649-8738.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn Louise Johnson, please visit our floral store.