Mrs. Beatrice Taylor-Johnson-Obituary

Mrs. Beatrice Taylor Johnson

Holly Hill, South Carolina

Aug 19, 1934 – Jul 20, 2017

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BORN
August 19, 1934
DIED
July 20, 2017
LOCATION
Holly Hill, South Carolina

Obituary

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Shuler-Marshall Funeral Home - Holly Hill Obituary

On July 20, 2017, Beatrice Taylor Johnson, native of Holly Hill, S.C., and recently of Santee, S.C., joined her beloved Douglas in heaven. Mrs. Johnson was born on August 19, 1934 in Holly Hill, SC to the late Earl Taylor, Sr. and Clara Blue Taylor. She was predeceased by brothers John Taylor,  Earl (Pete) Taylor, Jr. and Paul Taylor, Grandmother Lottie Brown and her indomitable Grandmother, Quinnie Wright Blue, with whom the Taylor children lived for some time.


Mrs. Johnson graduated from Burke High School in 1952 (Charleston, S.C.) and Johnson C. Smith University in 1956 (Charlotte). She completed graduate work at Boston University,  the University of South Carolina and Campbell University. Mrs. Johnson began her teaching career in 1956 in Florence, SC. She spent many years as a homemaker, but continued her teaching career at Tehran American High School (Tehran, Iran), and in the Greenwood SC and Orangeburg SC School Districts. Mrs. Johnson was also an insurance professional for several years, but  was always the consummate educator. After returning to Orangeburg County after Col. Johnson’s retirement, Mrs. Johnson taught in Orangeburg County School District #3 from which she retired in 1996.


The Johnsons have four children: Debora Johnson-Ross, PhD, Senior Vice President of Academic Innovation for an educational enterprise, Dianne Johnson-Feelings, PhD, Professor of English at the University of South Carolina, Douglas Johnson, Jr., a cybersecurity professional in Charleston and Loretta Johnson, an accountant in Charlotte. Mrs. Johnson considered Sonia Gass a daughter as well.  They also have three grandchildren who brought them immense joy: Richard V. Ross, Jr. (Rachel Gascho), Strategies and Operations Manager for a food distribution company, Taelor Marie Johnson, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, and Niani Sekai Feelings, a graduate of Boston Conservatory. Mrs. Johnson's legacy is also graced by two beautiful great-granddaughters, Zoë Soleil and Aria Shay Johnson-McCord.


The Johnsons’ marriage saw many memorable times and together they were role models for family, friends and the community. Married in 1958, they enjoyed 50 glorious years together. As a dedicated military spouse over a 29-year US Army career, Mrs. Johnson supported her family through tours of duty in Washington (State), Texas (twice), Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina (twice), South Carolina, Germany (twice), and Iran. During her travels, Mrs. Johnson was an active member of the Officers’ Wives Club, a Girl Scout Leader, a Youth Bowling Coach, and a member of the Garden Club. After returning to South Carolina, this civic minded woman served the community in a myriad of ways – as a mentor to middle school students, serving Meals-on-Wheels, as a Deaconess for Lovely Hill Baptist Church, and fundraiser for numerous charities. Mrs. Johnson served on the Board of Orangeburg Calhoun Action Bureau -- Community Action Agency (OCAB) and on the Executive Board of the South Carolina State Democratic Party. She was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1956 and is a lifetime member. She was an active alumna of Johnson C. Smith University, a committed member of the Rosenwald-Roberts Class Reunion, enthusiastic member of the Thirteen Hearts Bridge Club, a founder of the Concerned Citizens of District 66, a member of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, and a lifetime member of the NAACP.


Beatrice Taylor Johnson defined devotion to family, dedicated service to one’s community and church. She exemplified a loving, caring parent and grandparent. She loved people and truly never met a stranger. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Mrs. Johnson will be dearly missed by her beloved aunt and godmother, Pauline Young (Holly Hill), sister, Quinnie Lee Gilliard (Harold Jordan, Charleston), brother, Thomas Taylor (Holly Hill), sisters-in-law, Beatrice Townsend Johnson (Holly Hill), Wilhelmina Best Johnson (Santee), special nieces and nephews who gave her great joy, a host of family members and special friends, Mildred Samuels, E. Mary Justice, Victoria Justice, Laquita Blockson, Mary Thomas and family, Juanita Reynolds and family, Wilhelmina Kimpson and family, Tilda Reeder and family, James and Inez Irby and family, “helping hand” Terrance Thrower, Russell Washington, her devoted pets Zane, Tangerine, Madison, and her angels, Buttercup and Oreo, and many colleagues and professional friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mrs. Johnson’s memory to the OCAB Head Start Central Office, 1822 Joe Jeffords Hwy, Orangeburg, SC 29115, http://www.ocabcaa.org/, (803) 536-1027.


Friends may call at the residence, 367 Ned’s Cove, Santee, SC, 29142 and at the funeral home.


 


 


 


 

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My thoughts and prayers are extended to you at this most difficult time. Keep the faith and let the faith keep you.

John Hanna,Connecticut

My condolences to the family. May GOD bring you comfort.

Mrs. Johnson demonstrated the best of what a true lady should be. Always gracious and welcoming, she made everyone feel special. She leaves behind a strong legacy of what is best in human beings. Praying for all the family, but especially for my dear friend, Dianne Johnson-Feelings, whom I love like a sister.
In Christ,
Sandy Richardson

Sending our sympathy and our love. Carmen, Steve, Bonnie, and Mattie

May the heavens receive our beloved Beatrice Taylor Johnson. She was a role model for all of us, she made us proud! She was an awesome daughter, mother, grandmother, family member, friend, educator, a servant in the community, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

She was a beautiful strain in our family's fabric. They keep leaving us, but we are thankful for the wonderful memories and the #Blueprint! #BeaTaylorJohnson ❤