Thelma Elizabeth Johnson

On Thursday, July 27, 2023, God, in his “Infinite Wisdom,” called his beloved Thelma Elizabeth Johnson home to glory.  Thelma was our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and friend.  As an obedient servant, she answered the Lord’s call and entered her eternal rest peacefully and quietly at Sentara Hospital Woodbridge, VA. Thelma was born on March 6, 1934, to the late James H. and Pearl D. Jimmerson in Williamsburg, VA.  She was the eighth of thirteen children. Her last surviving sibling is her sister, Marionet Louise Fowler.

Thelma graduated from Bruton Heights in 1954. She was employed at the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Eastern State Hospital as a housekeeper and caregiver.  After resigning from the hospitals, she became a carrier for the Daily Press Newspaper. She later became a full-time caregiver for her mother, Pearl Jimmerson, and husband, Charles Johnson.

At an early age, Thelma accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was an active member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (the family church) for many years. She was married to the late David A. Maynor and was remarried to the late Deacon Charles N. Johnson on April 27, 1974. Thelma joined St. John Baptist Church on February 14, 1993, and served as a Deaconess alongside her husband, Deacon Johnson.  She remained an active member until her health prevented her from doing so. Thelma received many accolades within the community for her dedication and hard work. She was a foster parent and a community mother to many, opening her heart and home to all in need, and she knew how to stretch a meal. Thelma was a kind and loving woman but strong and stern! She loved the Lord and enjoyed Church services, listening to Christian music, and sermons on TV. She especially enjoyed family gatherings around the holidays and birthdays.

Her favorite past times were spent playing card games such as Phase 10 and 5000 with her son and daughters. She also enjoyed BINGO, playing Solitaire on her computer, coloring in her adult coloring books, reading children’s stories, watching game shows, local and MSNBC news, Hallmark TV, HGTV, and movies. She loved sitting out in the yard, enjoying the sun and fresh air, and when her flowers were in bloom, watching the birds, squirrels, and rabbits in the yard. Thelma enjoyed talking with the neighbors and watching everything going on in the neighborhood, and speculating about what everybody was up to.  We will find comfort in the lifelong memories we shared and the promise that she is resting in the arms of Jesus. She will surely be missed!

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Hubbard Jimmerson, John Henry Jimmerson, James "Jadda" Jimmerson, Raymond "Bear" Jimmerson, Norman Jimmerson, William Jimmerson, and sisters, Reverend Clara Harris, Margaret "Park" Jennings, Mary Olivia Owens, Roselia "Boots" Jimmerson, and Virginia Jimmerson.

She leaves to cherish her memories sons, David A. Maynor (Karen), Donia R. Fowler (fostered), and Russell Fowler (fostered); daughters, Sylvia S. Jimmison, Agatha V. Wright, Teresa P. Powell, Monica C. Taylor (Kelvin Sr.), Ret. Sgt. Pamela D. Williams, Marilyn K. M. Gould, Anita R. Maynor, Jowanne L. Johnson, Vickie E. Davis (fostered), and Natalie R. Thompson (fostered); grandchildren, Alexander Hackley, Chris Wright, Justin Wright, Marcus Wright, Keyeona Wright, Carmen Sanjurjo, Casandra Sanjurjo, Jasmine Davenport, Kelvin Taylor Jr., Brandon Taylor, Adrian Taylor, Lesilie Dubrey, Nathaniel Maynor, Hannah Gould, Ephraim Gould, Valencia Maynor, Brandi Maynor, Branigel Maynor, Hanisha Maynor, Markari Cunningham, and Markus Cunningham; great-grandchildren, Sebastian Wright, Sinjin Wright, Genisis Bartlett, Carlasia Wallace, Keirra Wright, Jordon McCoy, Zanyiah Wright, Jayla Wright, Kupenda Young, Mekiyah Wright, Azzire Crocheron, Azzure Crocheron, Jasiah Riddic, Unia Sanjurjo, Angelo Sanjurjo, Jakaiya Taylor, Za’marria Rojas, Zamea Black, Zamyia Maynor, Zyrice Dubrey, Zykice Dubrey, Kyedon Maynor, Tevin (TJ) Mitchell Jr., Jeromani Maynor, Kahlini Maynor, and Armani Maynor; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

A service to celebrate Thelma's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 12, 2023, at St. John Baptist Church.  Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Johnson may be viewed on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the following charities: St. John Baptist Church, 1397 Penniman Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 4002 Ironbound Rd Williamsburg, VA 23188, or Colonial Temple #380 Daughters of the Elk, 105 Howard Dr. Williamsburg VA 23185.  

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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