Judith Johnson

On April 27, 2015, Judith Wilhelmina Johnson peacefully departed this life and went from labor to reward after a brief illness. She was born on August 25, 1923 in The Republic of Panama to the late Francis and Viola Clement. A devoted wife and mother, Judith gave willingly of herself for her immediate family, extended family, special adopted daughters/sons whom she called and treated as her own as well as several neighborhood children who needed assistance. Judith was hired and trained as a nurse’s aide at Gorgas Hospital on the Panama Canal Zone after one of the nurses admired the way she took care of her ailing father. She cared for her patients for 12 years before going to working at the Drive In as a waitress. After 10 years she left to care for her children full time and became a home maker until she migrated to the United States in December 1970. Always a hard working woman once she arrived in the United States she took a job as a Nanny in Long Island before starting at the Sheraton Hotel as a housekeeper in Manhattan where she retired after 15 years in 1987. Upon retirement, Judith frequently traveled to Panama to reunite with her Amor and visit family and friends. As a world traveler she traveled to several countries including Canada, Barbados and Costa Rica as well as across the United States. She often bounced back and forth between New York and Virginia to visit her children and help care for her grandchildren. She always had a story to share with her grandchildren about her childhood and loved to talk about her mother, Viola. She often talked about the things her mother taught her and the kind of woman she was. Even though she was a daddy’s girl Judith modeled her mother in her adult years and became known as the neighborhood mom. She always had an ear to lend to anyone who needed it and imparted so much wisdom to everyone she talked to. Affectionately known to friends and family as “Mama”, Judith was loving woman who had a heart of gold. She always went above and beyond to ensure everyone was happy and never turned her back on anyone in need. Judith was an excellent mother who lived for her children. She was the portrait of a real woman who touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with. She was preceded in death by her AMOR James Johnson, Sr., sister Olivia Clement, four sons - infant twins, Roy Johnson and Roberto Johnson and two grandsons - Eduardo Ward and Sean Jemmott. Left to cherish her memory are four sons - James Johnson, Jr. (Anays) of San Antonio, TX; Siebert Ward (Patricia) of Queens, NY; Harold Ward of Norfolk, VA and Dantes Johnson of Atlanta, GA; seven daughters - Josephine Jemmott of San Antonio, TX; Jean Ashby of Chesapeake, VA; Joan Clark of Chesapeake, VA; Rosa Jackson (Lincoln) of Portsmouth, VA; Patricia Robinson (Dwight) of Portsmouth, VA; Melva Johnson of Portsmouth, VA and Dana Harris (Rogelio, Sr.) of Portsmouth, VA; one sister Shirley Brown of the Republic of Panama; thirty-eight grandchildren; seventy-two great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and a loving host of adopted children, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, cherished friends and church family. She forever changed the lives of everyone who crossed her path with her colorful and exciting stories. Her legacy will surely live on with those who cherish her memory. Vivir, sentir y morir! Descanse en paz!

Judith Johnson

August 25, 1923 - April 27, 2015