Shirley T. Johnson, of 509 Cedar Court, entered into eternal rest and peace on March 28, 2010 at Sentara Obici Hospital. She was a native of Suffolk, Va., and the daughter of William Taylor and the late Frances Taylor.
She was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School Class of 1966. Shirley attended Kees Coastal Business College and spent two years working in Washington, D.C. for Morgan’s Moving and Hauling. Upon returning to Suffolk, she landed a position working for Planters Peanuts and continued her administrative career with Lipton Tea, now Unilever Best Foods, where she supported the shipping and receiving department. After 29 years of dedicated service, she retired from Lipton in 2005 to pursue a fulfilling life which included spending time with her family and friends.
Shirley was a faithful member of Bethlehem Christian Church, where she formerly served as the youth director for 10 years. Singing was her passion, and she was well known for her God-given gift that she shared with many churches as she traveled to sing praises to the Lord. Shirley was vibrant and full of life and was well respected in the community and will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Ronald Johnson, of Suffolk; two daughters, Rhonda Orellana, of Stafford, Va., and Rona Sykes, of Suffolk; two granddaughters, Madeleine Stokes, of Stafford, Va., and Taylor Sykes, of Suffolk; one sister, Frances Hinton (James), of Montclair, N.J.; two brothers, Frankie Lewis (Barbara Jean) and Anton Weaver, both of Suffolk; two brothers-in-law, Reginald Johnson (Juliet), of Portsmouth, and Larry Johnson, of Suffolk; two aunts, Mable Madison and Margaret Lewis, both of Suffolk; two uncles, Joe Henry Lewis and Willie Taylor (Gertrude), both of Suffolk; one godmother, Ollie Hicks, of Suffolk; one godsister, Sherry Scott, of Suffolk; one godbrother, Fred Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, April 3, 2010 in Bethlehem Christian Church officiated by Pastor Emmanuel Myrick. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. A wake will be Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.