Obituary published on Legacy.com by Gaines Funeral Home - Maple Heights on Jan. 20, 2026.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE - CHRISTINE JOHNSON GREGORY
CHRISTINE GREGORY was born May 6, 1949 to the union of Monroe and Renza Johnson in
Louisville, Kentucky. She confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. CJ. Cunningham at the New Zion Baptist Church,
Louisville, Kentucky. She and her husband Eddie who lovingly called her "Tina" for all of their married life relocated to
Cleveland, Ohio in 1968. She became a member of the Second Lakeview Baptist Church,
Cleveland, Ohio under the spiritual guidance of the late Rev. Warner C. Crayton.
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Christine is the former President/CEO of Educational Management Services, Inc. which she founded in 1985. Having been employed as a Financial Aid Director and Consultant for a number of years she formed the company after receiving numerous requests from schools for financial aid training and consultation services. She had been closely associated with post-secondary schools and the financial aid Title IV Programs for forty+ years and recently employed as Consultant/Evaluator, Northeast Ohio for the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.
Christine was also the former owner of two very successful career colleges, as well as OHPAK.Y, Inc., an Ohio-based real estate corporation. She was named one of the "Top Ten Women Business Owners in Northeast Ohio" by the Cleveland Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).
LEADERSHIP & AFFILATIONS
Christine served as President and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees of The Phillis Wheatley Association, Inc., a 114-year-old social service agency in
Cleveland, Ohio that provides housing and congregate meals to senior citizens. She has also been recognized by United Way Services of Greater Cleveland for her volunteer efforts at The PWA.
In addition, Christine's present role as a committee member of the Jane Edna Hunter Scholarship with over $2M in assets, managed by Key Banlc and administered by College Now of Greater Cleveland, she was responsible for developing scholarship rules, reviewing applications and determining award amounts for college-bound women residing in Ohio and South Carolina.
Because of her commitment to higher education and her desire to help all young men and women realize the importance of a college education, she volunteered her time providing college and early awareness seminars and financial aid workshops for various local organizations such as the
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Public Library, as well as local churches and other organizations.
MILESTONES IN MINISTRY
In addition to her business and civic accomplishments, she loves the Lord and at Second Lakeview Baptist Church served as the Director of Christian Education, Scholarship Coordinator, Sunday School Teacher, and delegate to the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Congress of Christian Education where she received her "Master Teacher" Certification. She served on the Mission Board of the Union Missionary Baptist District Association and Finance Director of the Women's Department of the United Missionary Baptist State Convention of Ohio, Inc.
EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Management, Dyke Business College
Master Teacher Certification, Congress of Christian Education, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
Christian Education Diploma, Sunday School Publishing Board, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
Dean Certification, Division of Christian Education Accreditation and Credentials, Sunday School Publishing Board, NBC, USA, Inc.
AVID TRAVELER
Christine and Eddie loved to travel. Their travels have taken them to Africa, Cuba, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Monaco, Rome, the Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska and many cities in the U.S.
Chris loved her family and loved attending and coordinating THE JOHNSON-BARNES FAMILY REUNION every year.
She is survived by her husband Eddie of 61 years and four children Tara Gregory,
Louisville, Ky, Eduardo Gregory,
Louisville, Ky., Ivan Gregory, Saudia Arabia and Stacy (Keith) Robinson,
Louisville, Ky.; 14 Grandchildren; 31 Great-Grandchildren; 1 Great -great grandchildren; seven brothers and sisters, Rose Wright (John), Liz Anderson, Chicago, Illinois, Shirley Oldham,
Cleveland, Ohio, James Johnson (Rosetta),
Louisville, Kentucky, Thomas Johnson (Betty)
Louisville, Kentucky and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
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