Barbara A. Johnson

Barbara Ann Young Johnson, Church Leader, Community Advocate succumbs at her Hustle, VA residence on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 after a long illness. Mrs. Johnson, daughter of the late Helen and William Oliver Young, was married to Franklin L. Johnson.

For 72 years Barbara was a wonderful daughter, devoted wife and mother, a loving sister and aunt. To other relatives, neighbors, and friends and all who knew her, she was a heart full of love, service and sacrifice. She was never too busy "nor" too tired to help someone in need.

Barbara, a 1958 graduate of Essex County High School was an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and Loretto Baptist Church serving in leadership roles as Church Clerk, Youth Director for 29 years, Deaconess Board; Missionary Society, and Choir among many others. She was active in the Essex County Community and volunteered her services in many capacities.

Barbara was a lady of enormous faith and believed in the power of God. In the most devastating and stressful times, she would always remark, "I Just put it in the hands of the Lord". That faith and belief sustained her for 72 years through many challenging and sad times, but especially during her own personal challenge of suffering Alzheimer's Disease for over thirteen years (the average survivor rate is eight years or less) and Breast Cancer in 2008 (when the prognosis was six months to live).

Barbara is survived by her husband, Franklin L. Johnson; daughter, Pamela Coleman (Larry) of Hustle, VA; three sons, Franklin L. Johnson, Jr. (Jacqueline) of Fairfax, VA, Ronald Johnson (Liz), Corey Johnson (Audrey) of Hustle, VA; one sister, Madeline Y. Lawson of Silver Spring, MD and Tappahannock, VA; one brother, William O. Young, Jr. (Deborah) Hustle, VA; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; three nieces; three nephews; one great niece; four sister-in-laws, a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.