Born on Wednesday, July 22, 1936, Ophelia Thomas Johnson was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina. The fifth of seventeen children to the late Glen and Jessie Thomas with six remarkably close sisters and eleven loving brothers. Ophelia attended Fairfield County public schools.
At an early age, Ophelia embarked on her lifelong journey as a member of Blackjack Baptist Church. At Blackjack, she was an active member engaging in such activities as the Missionary Society, the Senior Choir, and serving as a Pastor’s Aide. [INSERTION BY REV. DR. HARRISON]
Mrs. Johnson was known for her infectious, beautiful smile, her candidness, and her amazing cooking; including her famous chicken sandwich known to many visitors of the OFJ Club. Lovingly, she was known for her timely narcolepsy, which often resulted in her coming to with a gleeful giggle. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Ophelia Johnson was married to the love of her life, Mr. Frank Johnson, for 69 years. She was the strong, but loving, compassionate mother of eleven children, including nine boys and two girls. Ophelia Johnson was loved and known widely as the matriarch of the Johnson family.
She was preceded in death by her two sons, Tommy Thomas and Rickey Johnson, and her two daughters, Lily Joanne and Diane Johnson. In addition, she was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Jessie Thomas; her four sisters (Olivia, Jannie Mae, Christine, and Dorothy Mae); and seven brothers (Glen Jr., John, Aubrey, Ray, Riley, Royce, Joyce, and Eunice).
She is survived by her husband; Frank, sons; Floyd, Samuel (Patricia), Calvin, Frank (Felicia), Ferlen (Patricia), Otis (Laura), and Bruce (Carolyn); her daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Rickey); her two sisters, Jessie Lee Glover (Willie) and Idena Harwell; her two brothers, James (Beatrice) and Lovon (Mandena) Thomas; her brother-in-law, Bill (Christine) Simmons; her five sister-in-laws, Denise, Vanessa, Sadie and Omega Thomas, and Velray Davis; a brother-in-law, Amos Hall; her grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Johnson was the proud grandmother of twenty-two grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank her caretakers, Lois Curlee and Ms. Victoria Owens. And, the family would like to issue gratitude to her granddaughter, Chatara, who took special care of her.
Visitation will be Friday August 14, 2020 from 12 noon to 7 pm @ Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home Chapel, with a private burial.
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