Rosylyn Eleanor Johnson's Obituary
Rosylyn Eleanor Johnson
She embraced her calling to be Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Friend, Mentor, Grandmother, and beloved Gigi.
Early Years –
Rev. Dr. Augustus Japheth and Jamie Lee (Nichols) Pearson welcomed their first daughter, Rosylyn Eleanor Pearson, on March 28, 1939. Four siblings followed, Jessyca Yucas, Augustus Pearson, Jr. (Deceased), Marguerite Hardy, and Nichola Hutchison. The family thrived in Arkansas, spreading the gospel through sermon and song. Rosylyn accepted Christ at an early age and served Him throughout her life, often accompanying the family’s services with her accomplished piano and vocal talents. Rosylyn led a full young life in a supportive community in Arkansas. A National Merit Scholar at Lincoln High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Rosylyn graduated with honors. She participated in many musical and social activities at Lincoln. As a segregated community, Fort Smith offered many civic activities, especially for young people. Rosylyn and her siblings participated in many activities sponsored by Eastern Star, Links Inc, YWCA, Ninth Street Baptist Church, and other community groups. After graduating high school, Rosylyn attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, formally known as Arkansas AM&N. There, she met and married her future husband, Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Earl Johnson. The couple introduced their first daughter, Jamena, to the family in 1958. Jamena’s birth marked a new beginning. Rosylyn was surrounded by four generations of strong Nichols-Pearson women when she delivered her child. The birth of Jamena welcomed the first child of the family’s fifth generation.
Young Life –
Military service led Bill and Rosylyn to San Diego, CA with their daughter, Jamena Yvonne Joseph (Deceased). Four siblings followed in quick succession, Lawrence Johnson, Jacquelyn Holmes, Louis Johnson, and Janeen Johnson-Foster. Rosylyn continued in service to the Lord and to the community. She led the choir at Christian Fellowship Church until she was named Choir Director at Southeast United Presbyterian Church, the church her husband pastored. Rosylyn continued her education as a young mother, eventually graduating from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she accepted the position of Western Region Sales Manager at Pacific Bell/AT&T until she stepped down to take care of her ailing husband in 1985. When Rosylyn returned to work, she did so as an Executive Coach, mentoring newly hired personnel throughout the United States. She shared her knowledge and experience with others until her retirement in 1991.
While managing a full-time job, which involved extensive travel, focusing on her family, and maintaining the music program at her church, Rosylyn also committed her efforts to community service. She was a soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc., San Diego, CA graduate chapter (Epsilon Xi Omega). She received many awards for leadership and service as exampled by her leadership award from San Diego’s Women’s Incorporated. Her appointment by the Mayor of San Diego, Maureen O’Connor, to the Advisory Board of Women illustrated Rosylyn’s dedication to the community. Rosylyn served proudly in that capacity for many years, resigning in December 1990.
In Retirement –
Even after her retirement at the age of 51, Rosylyn continued in service on a national level. She served on the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation (TASF) Board of Directors, supporting the organization’s mission; “to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen by providing motivation, access and scholarships to assist financially and academically deserving students in the pursuit of their college education.”
Remaining committed to family, Rosylyn adopted the role of primary caretaker and traveling partner to Col. Louis Driver Hill, USAF, Retired, affectionately known as Uncle Louis. They traveled the world together. Rosylyn was able to visit vast sections of the United States; and she stepped foot in all seven continents.
During her travels, she met two U.S. presidents and their spouses; the 42nd president, William J. Clinton, with his wife, Hilary and the 43rd president, George H.W. Bush, II with his wife Laura. She attended the Tuskegee Airmen’s Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony in Washington, DC., and was privileged to meet notable celebrities such as Lena Horne and Smokey Robinson.
Later Years -
Rosylyn’s retirement was by no means an end. It was a means to enjoy more of what life had to offer.
Foremost, she loved spending time with family. The mere sound of family laughing brought her great
joy. She enjoyed being with friends, traveling to exotic locations, dancing, and singing. Though she was
not prone to be left out of the fun, in her later years she liked to watch her family play cards or board games even if she wasn’t participating directly. Rosylyn loved sports. Above all, she enjoyed tennis and football, primarily, the Chargers. It was suggested, by no one mentioned specifically, that Rosylyn chose to depart this Earth to have a bird’s eye view of the 2023 Australian Open, which started the following day – not entirely improbable. Rosylyn loved life. She brought joy and laughter to whomever she encountered. Her infectious laughter filled the air. She lived a full life doing what she did best, being a devoted daughter, a dedicated sister, a loving wife, a wonderful mother, a true friend, a trusted mentor, a fun-loving grandmother, and a beloved Gigi. After hard-fought battles with multiple medical issues, Rosylyn transitioned peacefully Saturday, January 21, 2023, surrounded by family and friends who were emitting the sounds of joy she found unsurpassably precious. Rosylyn is preceded in death by her parents Rev. Dr. Augustus J. Pearson, Sr. and Jamie Lee (Nichols) Pearson, her brother, Augustus J. Pearson, Jr., her husband, Rev. Dr. William Earl Johnson, and her first child, Jamena Yvonne Joseph. Her sisters, Jessyca Yucas, Brook Park, OH, Marguerite Hardy, Parkville, MD, Nichola Hutchison, Ypsilanti, MI; her children, Lawrence Johnson, San Diego, CA, Jacquelyn Holmes, Bonita, CA., Louis Johnson, Sapporo, Japan, and Janeen Johnson-Foster, Winchester, CA.; her sons-in-law (love) Byron Joseph II, Peter Holmes, and LaMont Foster; her grandchildren, Dahnte Sullivan, Jesycha Green, William E. Johnson, II, Juleane Johnson, Janelle Johnson, Jovan Green, and Canaan Johnson-Foster; her great- grandsons, Jeremiah Hanking and Jadani Tucker, as well as a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, those she considered family, and friends are left to cherish her memory and will miss her dearly.
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