Selena V. Johnson

On December 31, 2021, God in his infinite wisdom called home to eternal rest Selena Virginia Johnson. She was born on November 20, 1935. She was the eighth child born to the late Fred and Mary Purce in Caroline County, Port Royal VA. She was the youngest of eight children. All of her siblings preceded her in death. She had five brothers: John, Farrish, Fred Jr., Charles and Marrill Purce, two sisters Mary Cooper and Julia Purce.

She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age, and she joined Little Zion Baptist Church of Oak Grove VA. In 1957, she moved to Washington DC, then she moved to Maryland. There she attended Great Commission Church of Suitland MD, where she re-dedicated her life to Christ. Then at a later date she attended the Tree of Life Ministries Church in Clinton MD.

In 1953, she united in marriage to Raymond Edward Watts Sr. To that union four children were born: Illinois B. Watts-Brooks, Merilyn S. Watts, Raymond E. Watts Jr. and one son that preceded her in death, Ronald E. Watts. Gloria Jett is the children’s stepsister, Selena proudly accepted and treated her as one of her own children. In 1981 she re-married to the late Thomas E. Johnson.

Selena retired from the Federal Government. She was hired by the General Services Administration, where she worked at the Pentagon Field Office and was promoted to supervisor. In 1980, she was promoted to Assistant General Supervisor at the Navy Annex in Arlington VA. She was then called to serve on a detail to the U.S. Court House in Washington DC. In 1988 she was promoted again to work in the White House as a supervisor to oversee 125 employees. Selena obtained many awards throughout her career; in addition, she received several letters of recognition from the Court of Appeals, GSA Acting Commissioner, GSA Acting Administrator and many others for her superior competence and dedication while achieving the goals and mission of the Federal Government.

She leaves to mourn three children: Illinois B. Watts-Brooks (Delvin deceased) Clinton MD, Merilyn S. Watts, Capitol Heights MD, Raymond E. Watts Jr. (Doris), Upper Marlboro MD, Stepdaughter Gloria Jett, King George VA, 8 Grandchildren, 18 Great Grandchildren, one brother-in-law, Randolph Bryant (Kim) Baltimore MD, three sisters-in-law, Edith Jett (Frankie deceased) King George VA, Anita Triplett (Claude) King George VA, Mary Beverly (William) Brookneal VA and a host of nieces and nephews.