Virginia (Lawson) Johnson

Born: Mon., Apr. 1, 1929
Died: Sat., Jan. 20, 2018


Visitation

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Mon., Jan. 22, 2018
Location: Lyons Chapel


Funeral Service

2:00 PM Tue., Jan. 23, 2018
Location: First Baptist Church of Lyons


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Mrs. Virginia Johnson passed away on January 20, 2018 after a long illness. She was born on April 1, 1929 in Climax, Georgia. Her parents were the late Thomas Riley Lawson and Mary Chester Lawson.

Virginia grew up in the small town of Climax, Georgia attending school eleven years and graduating in 1946 as the class valedictorian. After graduation, she attended Valdosta State College before transferring to Georgia Teachers’ College (Georgia Southern University). Virginia graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1950 with honors. She met her late husband, James Arthur (Buster) Johnson while attending school in Statesboro. They were married on August 7, 1950.

The couple began their marriage together in southwest Georgia teaching school together in Ochlocknee and Cairo. In the summers, the couple pursued their graduate degrees at Peabody College (Vanderbilt) graduating with honors in Nashville, Tennessee. As children came into the family, they made Cairo their home. In 1959, the family moved to Dublin, Georgia which was Buster’s hometown. She taught school in Dublin for a couple of years. In 1961, the family moved to Lyons where Virginia continued to teach school until her retirement in 1983. She was named the Teacher of the Year in 1980. During retirement, she served one term on the Toombs County Board of Education.

Virginia was active in the First Baptist Church of Lyons serving in various capacities including Sunday school teacher for women classes. She was a member of the Fidelis, Mamie China, and Seventy and Greater Sunday School classes and the WMU. She was civic minded and participated in the ¬¬¬Beta Sigma Phi sorority functions in the community. Virginia was a member of the Redcoat Band Boosters and the Football/Athletic Booster Club. She enjoyed knitting, word puzzles, and playing cards weekly with friends.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Buster, one sister and brother-in-law, Marguerite and Bill Sloan of Climax, one nephew, Billy Sloan of Climax. Survivors include sons Tommy Johnson of Savannah and Clarke Johnson (Treva) of Statesboro, daughters Beth McCall (Leland) of Reidsville, Emily Stanley (Jeff) of Lyons, and Ginger Edge (Randall) of Petross Community. Nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren also survive her.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, January, 22nd in the chapel of Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service in Lyons, Georgia. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 23rd at the First Baptist Church in Lyons, Georgia. Interment will be conducted at the Lyons City Cemetery. Rev. Dannie Williams will preside over the service.

         Pallbearers will be Hunter McCall, Ches McCall, Riley Johnson, Ben Johnson, Blake Brown, Les Bateson, and Nathan Adams. Honorary pallbearers will be members of her Sunday School class. Remembrances can be made to the First Baptist Church of Lyons.

Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Lyons Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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Condolence Booklet

Jimmy Alexander
   Posted Sun January 21, 2018
This great lady had a great life in Lyons. She raised her kids in "THE NEIGHBORHOOD"! We all were honored to know her...Mr. Buster and the children...R.I.P Mrs Virginia❤️✝️🎶🙏

Faye Rustin
   Posted Sun January 21, 2018
So sorry for your loss. Though she has not been well for some time, we still are not ready to give them up. You will miss her dearly,please find peace in knowing that she is now at peace..

Kathy Davis
   Posted Sun January 21, 2018
Ginger and families I am so sorry for your loss of your mom passing away. My condolences go out to the families and GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Sue Rustin Grisham
   Posted Mon January 22, 2018
To all of the Johnsons, So sorry to hear of Mrs. Virginia's passing. She was such a special lady. I know you will miss her but find comfort in your happy memories. God bless you.

Roger Chancey
   Posted Mon January 22, 2018
Beth and siblings, I was saddened to hear of your mother. Having lost mine in 2012, I know how it feels. Mrs. Johnson was a very sweet lady that I always enjoyed seeing. Her sweet spirit no doubt came from the influence of the Lord in her life. That influence was also seen in her children. You have a great heritage.
As with my mother, I know you are glad she is no longer suffering. There is no more pain and sorrow where she is now. The best thing is, those of us that know the Lord will see her again one day!

Renee Talley
   Posted Mon January 22, 2018
Celebrating a brand new life: Beth; Emily; Ginger; Tommy & Clarke & Loved Ones
To seize a golden opportunity
Smile in your mirror of hope
Your mother appreciates your upward glance
Towards heaven heaven with both arms open wide
Call out my name & I will send an angelic hug & blow kisses your way
Now y'all will be running among CHAMPIONS OF HOPE
Feels like adoration but quaint my true one's among thy trumpet's call
Tommy the horse Beth true majorette & all will receive Valentine Surprise after all

Winton & Margie Williamson
   Posted Tue January 23, 2018
For The Johnson Family sorry for your loss,her memories will be with you forever ,she was a special lady God bless

Mildred Salter McNair
   Posted Tue January 23, 2018
I am very sorry to hear of the "Home Going" of Virginia. I was in her class at Climax School in Climax Georgia, and graduated with her in 1946. She was always kind and considerate of others. She was always a very smart student. Naturally we went our separate ways after graduation but I'm glad but not surprised, to read in her obituary, she lived a life of service in many ways, most important of all, her service to the Lord through her church.

Cheryl Clifton
   Posted Tue January 23, 2018
Virginia was a truly sweet and loving person. She and Lillian H. took me under their wings when I moved back home to Lyons and taught school with them. We had many great times! I truly loved her!

William, David, Carol, and Bobby Chester
   Posted Sun January 28, 2018
Dear Tommy, Clarke, Beth, Emily, and Ginger,
We were very sorry to learn of your mom passing away. We enjoyed the times we got to visit together and remember the great sense of humor both your parents had. Virginia was admired by all of us and was a very sweet lady. All of us are praying for you and all members of your family. May God comfort and bless you.

With love,
William, David, Carol, and Bobby

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