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Josephine Johnson
July 29, 1930 - October 17, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">Dr. Josephine (Simmonds) Johnson, 87, passed away peacefully Monday October 17, 2016 at the Northwood Care Seniors’ facility. She was born in North Preston, Nova Scotia to the late Robert and Annie (Cain) Simmonds. She was married to the Late Arnold Johnson Sr. <br> <br>Dr. Johnson was a born again Christian and was baptized at the age of thirteen. She was a member of Saint Thomas Baptist Church. Some of her volunteer Church work included: founder of the Women’s Missionary Society, Explorer Group, Mission Band and Baby Band, leader of CGIT and Baptist Youth Fellowship groups, Sunday School teacher for over fifty years and senior choir member for forty-nine years, all at Saint Thomas Baptist Church. <br> <br>Sunday School teacher, choir member and Women’s Missionary Society member for four years at Oromocto Baptist Church, Oromocto N.B. <br> <br>Provincial BYF Supervisor, Sunday School Superintendent and Women’s Institute Official Organizer for the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia. She served as a member of the Home Mission Board of the Canadian Baptist of Atlantic Canada. At the time of her passing she was the official historian for Saint Thomas Baptist Church and co-author of the church history book, published August 6, 2016. <br> <br>Growing up in North Preston, she attended the one room New Road School where she completed grade eight. She then furthered her education as an adult. She was among the first graduates of the Early Childhood Education diploma program at St. Joseph’s Children Centre. She also obtained a diploma in Early Childhood Education from the Frobel Centre of the Nova Scotia Teacher’s College. <br> <br>At the age of Fourteen Dr. Johnson began her work life “In Service” as a domestic worker. She went on to become a medical clerk and a sales clerk before entering the field of education. In 1972 she became one of the founders and the first Director of the North Preston Day Care Centre where she served in the capacity of Director for fifteen years, and after retiring she served on its board of directors. She also worked as an Instructor of Early Childhood Education for fourteen years and served on the Board of Governors of the Institute for Early Childhood Education in Nova Scotia. She obtained an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2010. <br> <br>Dr. Josephine Johnson is the recipient of many certificates and awards for volunteer work over the years and was very active in her church and community. Her community involvement included: <br> <br>President of the George Washington Carver Credit Union <br> <br>North Preston Public Health Clinic Assistant <br> <br>Founding member of the North Preston Recreation Association <br> <br>Member of the Homemakers Board of Nova Scotia <br> <br>Secretary of the New Road School and member of its Home and School Association <br> <br>Founding member of the North Preston Centennial Choir <br> <br>Member of the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children <br> <br>Member of the Anne V. Johnson Chapter of the IODE and executive member of the provincial IODE. <br> <br>Dr. Johnson lived her family life to the fullest. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. She could prepare the most delicious meals, and was a loving, caring person to talk to. She cherished the companionship of her close friends and remained true to them all her of life. The Johnsons were avid RVers (recreation campers) and tourists since the 1960s. Their favorite and last campground was Land of Evangeline Family Camping Resort. <br> <br>Dr. Johnson is survived by her sons Arnold “Mark” Jr. (Carol), Allister (Donna), daughters Rose (Alexander) Fraser, Anne (Michael) McDonald, special sons Eric Ross (Myrna) Downey, Antoine (Lisa) Fraser and special niece Rolanda Kane, brothers Roland (Sharon) Simmonds, Morton (Delores) Simmonds, Wayne (Donalda) Desmond, Sisters Madge Simmonds, Alfreda Smith and Norma Downey; twelve grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; God-children Marlene Smith, Coreen Beals, Ramona Johnson, Linda Williams, Amaris Desmond, Vernon Johnson, Ronald Sparks and Lyle Johnson; special friends, Ethel Fraser, Winnifred Beals and Arnold Barry. She was predeceased by sisters Madeline Suella Kane, Edith Sparks, brothers Aubrey Cain, Ralph Simmonds, Robert Simmonds Jr., Eric Simmonds and Stanford Simmonds; grandson Troyaka Johnson, great-grandson Michael Howe, and special sister Rosella Fraser and Ruby Provo. <br> <br>Funeral arrangements are in care of the Atlantic Funeral Home. A visitation (wake) will be held 7pm Sunday October 23, 2016 at Saint Thomas Baptist Church. <br> <br>The Home Going Celebration will be 1 pm on Monday October 24, 2016 at Saint Thomas Baptist Church, Reverend Wallace Smith officiating. The interment to follow at the Saint Thomas Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint Thomas Baptist Church, the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Alzheimer’s’ Society.</div>