Margaret F. Johnson

1914 - 2015

NEWPORT NEWS - On Friday, September 4, 2015, while in her home, joy came in the morning to Mrs. Margaret F. Johnson when she was happily received into glory by her Savior, Jesus Christ. Mrs. Johnson had been a resident of Newport News for most of her life. She was born on the top floor of the present Fields House on March 21, 1914. She was the granddaughter of James A. Fields, a teacher, pioneering Virginia lawyer, state legislator, and Commonwealth Attorney. Margaret Carolyn Loretta Fields Johnson was educated in the Hampton and Norfolk Public Schools. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in English/French at Virginia State College (University) and a MA in deaf education at Hampton Institute (University). For over 70 years, she was married to her husband, Clarence C. Johnson, Sr. parenting four children, Clarence C. Johnson, Jr. (Diane), Margaret J. Cason (Joseph), Jeanette Clay (Claud) and Sterling Johnson. Her teaching career began in the mid-1930s in the Mecklenburg County School System. For 28 years, she was a deaf educator at the Virginia State School for the Deaf and Blind in Hampton, Virginia. While there, she also served as Acting Director of Education. After Retirement, she was appointed to the Virginia Board of Visitors for the Deaf and Blind. Mrs. Johnson was active in many areas of the community and was loved and appreciated by many. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 83 years where she became a Diamond Member in 2007. She was also a beloved member of the Lambda Omega Chapter of that sorority where she served a term as Basileus and many other notable positions. She was an active lifelong member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. There she served as a lay reader and was a member of St. Augustine's Daughters of the King, the Vestry, the Episcopal Church Women, and the Samaritans. Mrs. Johnson was honored as St. Augustine's Woman of the Year and Mother of the Year. She was active in the Peninsula YWCA, the Girl Scouts of America, and the Silver Bells; served as a volunteer for the Newport News Court System, and was a staunch advocate for exercising one's right to vote up until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Sterling O. and Mrs. Katie Scott Fields; husband, Clarence C. Johnson, Sr.; son, Sterling Johnson; granddaughter, Kris Angela Cason; brother, Jimmy Fields; and son-in-law, Joseph L. Cason. She will long be remembered by everyone who met her for her dry wit, her love of animals, and her legendary memory. She will always be loved by her friends, relatives, family, and especially by her nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. When asked about her secret of longevity, she responded, "Just keep on breathing!", and it worked for her for more than 101 years. The celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2015 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 2515 Marshall Ave., Newport News, VA. Interment will follow in Pleasant Shade Cemetery, Hampton. Viewing will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday followed by a wake service from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Johnson will lie in state two hours prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Mrs. Johnson's wishes, the family requests donations to the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter, 5843 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23605, Attn: Roger Iles noting that donations are being made in memory of Mrs. Margaret F. Johnson. O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.