Charlotte J. Johnson

KINSTON - Charlotte Joyner Johnson, fifth child of the late Ellis Joyner and Minnie Edwards Joyner, was called to her rich reward on Monday, September 2, 2013. Born and reared in Snow Hill, North Carolina (Greene County), her education began there. She attended Watery Branch local elementary school; then Greene County Training School (GTCS) - which later became South Greene High School (1932). She attended Brick Community College (now Brick Rural Life Schools) and graduated from Elizabeth City State University (1945) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She continued her studies at New York University's School of Education earning a master's degree in Early Child Education (1952). She began her career as a first grade teacher in the county that she called home in 1936, and remained in the county's school system teaching at GCTS until 1965 when she moved to the Lenoir County School system. Initially teaching at Woodington Elementary in 1965, she transferred to Moss Hill Elementary School (1967-1978) becoming a member of the team of the first teachers of color there. In 1978, Charlotte concluded forty two years of dedicated and conscientious service to the education and welfare of the youth. This, and the generations of families she has taught, will serve as her living monument. On December 26, 1937, Charlotte Joyner married the late Herman L. Johnson with her brother, Wesley Joyner, serving as a witness. This marriage lasted 57 years until his passing in 1994. They are survived by two daughters, LaVerne Johnson (Anderson) [Indiana, Indianapolis] and Tacha Coleman (Michael Parr) [Washington, D.C.]; five grandchildren, Jason Anderson, Brian Anderson, Wesley Parr, James Parr, and Charles Parr. As the matriarch of the extended families, Charlotte also leaves nieces, nephews, cousins, to carry on the history and stories. A longtime devoted member of Kinston's Catholic Community, she has served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector, and has been a member of the Church's Alter Guild, St Martin's Guild, and Catholic Women's Group. She held membership in the S.O.S.H. Club, and many other civic and community organizations during her lifetime. The Rosary will be held at the funeral home Friday, September 6, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2013, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Arturo Cabara, Pastor, providing the Homily. Burial will follow in Pinelawn Memorial Park. Albritton-Carraway Funeral Home is in charge of the service. Sign the guest book at Kinston.com. (Paid obituary)