Life Reflections: A phenomenal strong and loving spirit, always there, whose life and powerful legacy continues to have a positive, indelible imprint in our lives and will do so for generations to come …

Toyette (affectionately known as Etta in the North and Toy in the South) Johnson, our 101 years old beautiful beloved Matriarch, a loving caring and wise mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, a loyal friend and a wonderful woman of God was called home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 25, 2020.  There, reunited with her beloved daughter Mary Strother ("Mother Mary"), and husband Joseph Johnson ("Daddy" or "Daddy Joe") and so many of her family and friends to welcome her to her Heavenly home.  Oh, what a time, what a time it will be!  Grandma Etta loved the Lord and it was exemplified in the way she lived her life.  She was gracious, gregarious, and giving.  Grandma Etta had a sophisticated strut that exuded confidence.

Grandma Etta was born on July 23, 1919 in the township of Chester, City of Lowrys, Chester County, South Carolina and the only child to Boysie Kirkpatrick and Mary McCoy Kirkpatrick. Grandma Etta married John Strother, and of that short union, they became proud parents of a daughter, Maryetta (Mary) Strother. In a few years, Grandma Etta and her beloved Mary migrated North to New Jersey for a better life and more opportunities for herself and family.  Now settled in New Jersey, Grandma Etta met a handsome young man/soldier, Joseph Johnson, who committed himself to her in marriage on January 24, 1952 until his death in 1978.  Their family resided in East Orange, New Jersey, where they had a loving community of friends and neighbors for many years. Grandma Etta and Mother Mary remained in East Orange until relocating to Chesterfield, Virginia in March 2015.

Grandma Etta attended public school in her hometown. Grandma Etta was blessed with wisdom and knowledge.  She was a big proponent of higher education for her children.  Family, friends, and youth often looked to Grandma Etta for a listening ear, wise counsel and sound advice.

Grandma Etta came to know the Lord early on in her life.  Grandma Etta enjoyed going to church, Bible study, having daily devotions and reading her Sunday School lessons.  She always dressed in her Sunday best and with her church hats.  Grandma Etta was a member of the Christian Home Baptist Church in Chester, South Carolina.  When Grandma Etta relocated to New Jersey, she and her family were active members at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Orange, New Jersey where Reverend Theodore Faison was Pastor.  Grandma Etta served in numerous capacities, including Usher Board, choir member, Pastor's Aide, and one of the Mother of the Church.  She was instrumental in planning and hosting fashion shows at the church where she served as Program Chairman.  Grandma Etta was an Advisor to the Young People's Choir in all of their activities, which included planning trip and fundraisers.  Due to her efforts, youth were exposed to plays on and off Broadway.  Grandma Etta's home was a welcoming place where young people felt comfortable to have fun fellowships.  Some years later, Grandma Etta and Mother Mary became active members of the Divinity Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey where Pastors, Dr. Byron E. Lennon Sr. and Dr. Margaret Lennon were their Pastors for more than 20 years.  Grandma Etta served as a Missionary, on the Pastor's Aide, was one of the Mothers of the Church, and participated in other auxiliaries.  Upon relocating South, Grandma Etta and her daughter became active members and Mothers of the Church at the Second Baptist Church in Ruther Glen, Virginia where her grandson-in-law and granddaughter, Dr. Arthur Werts and Minister Saundra Werts, are Pastor and First Lady.  Grandma Etta and Mother Mary's fellowship extended from the South to the North to the South bridging their church community.  Grandma Etta attended annual summer revivals/family reunions in South Carolina until she was no longer able to do so. While in Virginia, Drs. Byron and Margaret Lennon continued to call, video chat, and/or visit Grandma Etta and Mother Mary to the end of their lives.  Just one big extended church family!

Throughout her Christian journey, Grandma Etta ministered to many people by helping wherever needed, especially to those that were infirmed.  Grandma Etta had a kind heart and altruistic spirit and was true to the Word of God, which states, "If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it to show mercy, do it cheerfully." (Ro.12.8)

Grandma was well-rounded and active in her community.  She loved to talk and laugh with family and friends, host family dinners, watch gameshows, and enjoyed going on cruises and traveling.  Grandma Etta served as Girl Scout Leader in her granddaughters' troops -- believing "It takes a village to raise a child."  One of the important civic duties that Grandma Etta encouraged was for everyone to vote.  She worked the election polls in East Orange, New Jersey for years.  Grandma Etta was a member of a sewing club.  As a senior citizen, Grandma Etta was a Floor Monitor at Norman Towers in East Orange, New Jersey.  She also enjoyed being part of a bowling league.

With a strong work ethic and values of integrity and altruism, Grandma Etta believed in doing her best in all of her endeavors.  Early in her work history, Grandma Etta performed domestic work where she was influential in the lives of many children of the families that she worked for and who treated her with dignity and respect.  Grandma Etta changed careers using her skillful culinary talents as the Head Chef for Priests at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey for several years.  Before retiring, Grandma Etta moved on to work at the Marylawn School of the Oranges in South Orange, New Jersey where Nuns also had the pleasure of experiencing an array of Grandma Etta's delicious southern cuisines.  Whether at work, church, or with family and friends, everyone experienced the love and hospitality of Grandma Etta's scrumptious cooking.

On September 23, 2020, Grandma Etta was recognized in the Centenarian 2020 Recognition Program where she and other extraordinary centenarians were showcased in a presentation at a Board of Supervisor Meeting with the Chesterfield County Office of Aging and Disability.

Grandma Etta was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Mary Strother, on January 24, 2018.  Mother and daughter were very close and they enjoyed doing things together.  Grandma Etta was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Johnson, on June 4, 1978.  She was also preceded in death by Paul Mack, her brother by adoption.  To cherish Grandma Etta's memory are her beloved granddaughters and their husbands, Saundra and Dr. Arthur Werts and Deborah and Charles Johnson, Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Candance Bohanon and her husband Marcus Bohanon, Sr., Kenneth Werts, Sr. and his wife Shannon Werts, Quiana Smith and her husband Jason Smith, Sr., Charles Johnson III, Akilah Johnson; 7 great, great grandchildren, Essence Gaffney and her husband Jaylon Gaffney, Marcus Bohanon, Jr., Nya Bohanon, Kenneth Werts, Jr., Kiley Werts, Kenzie Werts, and Jason Smith, Jr.; a multitude of family and extended family which also included Allen McCluney, Annie Ruth Kirkpatrick, Bill and Lorraine Kirkpatrick, Margaret Cohen, Jerry Cohen, Yvonne Iyunade, Drs. Bobby and Phyllis Cohen, Jimmie and Lillie Mae Kirkpatrick, Willie Kirkpatrick, Willene Stringfellow, Eddie Kirkpatrick, Sharon Hill, Ann Marie Adams, Elsie Derricott, Dr. Artemus and Lavern Werts, Dr. Herman and Lancie Marchan, Trustee Jerone and Dr. Pennie Stallworth, Ervin and Louise Parker, and Prophet Kelvin and Trady Smith; Pastors Dr. Byron E. Lennon Sr. and Dr. Margaret Lennon, Dr. Wanda Adams, Dr. Alethea Robinson, Deacon Thaddeus Allen, Deaconess Geneva Jenkins, Andrewa Shepard (Nurse Ministry), Bertha Hargrove, Bernice Jordon, Marie Jones, Ann Shepard, Francis Shepard, special caregivers Lo'Retta Nixon-Gross and Dana Terrell; Facilitator Corrinthia Morris, the Norman Towers family, the Tyler Retreat staff, the Hospice Community Care staff, and many other family and friends.  Grandma Etta was also blessed to have the continual love and support of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church family, the Divinity Missionary Baptist Church family, and the Second Baptist Church family.

Grandma Etta's love was unconditional.  To know her was to love her. We are blessed and thankful for her being a part of our lives.  We are all the better because of her.  God bless Grandma Etta's legacy as she rejoices in heaven with our Lord and the Saints of God.

Our dearly beloved Grandma Etta has boldly said, "I have fought a good fight.  I have finished my course.  I have kept the faith.  Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:7-8) while our "Lord declared to her, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a few things.  I will make you a ruler of many things.  Enter into the joy of the Lord." (Matthew 25:21)

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday October 31, 2020 at Second Baptist Church, 26725 Ruther Glen Road, Ruther Glen, Virginia 22546.

Online streaming will be available on Facebook under C W Edwards Funeral Home.

Due to Covid-19 a mask or face covering is required.