Gladys Marie Clark-Johnson

Clark-Johnson

Gladys Marie Clark-Johnson (Age 88)

Gladys Marie Clark-Johnson passed away on October 25, 2023, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Born on May 9, 1935, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Gladys was a remarkable woman who lived her life with purpose, style, grace, and dignity. She shared her love for life, family, and friends, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she encountered.

Gladys graduated from McKeesport High School in 1953 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Howard University. She served as an Assistant to Dorothy Porter at the Morland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. She later earned a Master of Arts in Special Education from George Washington University, where she trained as a Diagnostic Prescriptive Teacher. She also held a Certificate from the District of Columbia Teachers College.

Throughout her career, Gladys made significant contributions in special education, serving as a Teacher in the District of Columbia Schools, Supervisor of the Diagnostic Mobile Team, Director of the Child Studies Center, and Supervising Director of the D.C. Special Education Plan. She was an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), serving on its Board of Directors and as President. After retirement, Gladys served as a Trainer and Regional Director for the D.C. Election Commission.

After moving to Colonial Beach, VA, Gladys found solace and community at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, where she served as a member of the Vestry and the search committee. She was a leader in the development of the Community Soup Luncheon and the St. Mary's Food Bank. In her leisure time, Gladys indulged in her passion for gourmet cooking, creating culinary masterpieces that delighted her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother Gladys Stribling, her father Arthur Clark, and her stepfather Eli "Preacher" Stribling. Gladys will be deeply missed by her beloved husband, John L. Johnson, Jr.; daughter, Karen D. Johnson-Webb; sons John L. Johnson III, Edward Johnson and Kerry Johnson; granddaughters, Danielle Johnson-Webb and Zakia Vanhoose; sons-in-law, Tanya Webb, François Prieur, and Jeff Lundenberger; cousins Louise (James) Kelly; Latisha (Raymond) Rice; Larissa (Micheal) Gressen; Monica (Danny) Dawkins, Shayla (Rashad) Dawkins-Washington; Darius Dawkins, the Reverend Earline Coleman and numerous McKeesport family members.

Memorial to held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Colonial Beach, VA on December 9, 2023 at 3 p.m. Repast directly following at Riverboat on the Potomac, Colonial Beach, VA.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the St. Mary's Food Bank.