Virgie Lee Johnson

Virgie Lee Corbett Johnson was born August 16, 1934 in the City of Columbia, South Carolina to the late Deacon William M. Corbett & Frances Taylor Corbett.  She passed away peacefully at the Providence Hospital, Columbia, North East. She was the second oldest of 13 children.

She attended the public schools in Richland County and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School.  She was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church, College Place, at an early age. She served as a member of the Usher’s ministry and secretary for many years.  She later married the late Deacon Benjamin Johnson. Of that marriage of 43 years, they had six children. She later joined Zion Chapel Baptist Church #1 and served as an Usher, a Deaconess, Missionary, Sunday School participant, Youth Advisor and Hospitality Committee. She was a member of the Amaker Chapter #1 Order of Eastern Stars (OES) and Heroines of Jericho (HOJ) Freeman Hill Court #519 and was Matron of both organizations.  Momma Johnson, as she was affectionately known, received numerous citizenship awards throughout her life. She was a volunteer at Senior Citizen Homes and a Foster Grandparent at the local elementary schools.

Momma Johnson was a loving wife and mother not just to her own, but many. She was a very passionate person and well known for her kindness everywhere she went.  To know her was to love her and if she smiled at you, you had to smile back even on your worst days.

She loved cooking, feeding others in need, knitting, word search and fishing, but eating fish was her favorite.  If there was a need for shelter, the couple, (along with her persuasion), took in many who became family no matter where you came from.  She took special interest in a mother of two (the late Flora Harris) whom became a “believer” and went on to make great strides in life.

Momma Johnson was predeceased by her parents, her husband, first born, Sylvia Denise Johnson, her brothers, Willie Jr., David Louis, and Joseph Corbett, sisters, Modjeska N. Ruff and Ella Mae Trapp. 

She is survived by her daughters, Lessie Lee (Huga) Brown, Kathy Elaine (Reneth) Jones, Cathy Denise Amaker, Frances Louise Johnson, Lola Yvonne Johnson, Teresa Othella (Andre’) Johnson-Green, all of Columbia, SC and one son, Benjamin David (Glenda) Johnson I, of Snellville, GA, Douglas James (Patricia) Ruff (raised in the home); two sisters, Josephine Vera Clark and Gloria Diane Miller both of Columbia, SC and five brothers, Henry (Marva), Thomas (Willie Mae) Sr., John Alphonso, Clayton and Melvin Norman (Delphine) Corbett, all of Columbia, SC; adopted love ones, Donna Yvette Vickers, Janie Marie Dorsey, Nancy Lee Ruff, Latarsha Ann Ruff, Reginald Brown, all of  New York, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who will miss her dearly for she was a phenomenal woman of God.

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