Obituary of Phyllis C. Johnson

Phyllis Claudia Johnson, a longtime resident of Bowie, Maryland, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 15, 2025. She was 73. 

Born in Summit, NJ on February 29, 1952, to the late Charles, Sr. and Clementine Johnson, Phyllis was the third born child, the first girl and was received on “leap year”.  Every four years Phyllis would celebrate her “real” birthday that included special parties, traveling and at times, receiving a piece in the local newspaper. She lived to celebrate 18 years of her actual born date.  Phyllis and her siblings were raised in Madison. She attended Madison public schools and graduated from Madison High School in 1970 where she was active in several organizations, including being a Twirler for the Dodgers. Phyllis obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in Education.

Phyllis spent most of her career in the admissions department of Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA and Hood College in Frederick, MD. She was also employed by First Generation College Bound. Later in life, Phyllis acted as assistant director for her sister Wendy’s nonprofit organization, Age of Awareness, an organization that offers cultural and education programs to African and African American students. She loved to travel annually to visit the schools in Ghana and distribute school supplies, toys and clothes. 

Phyllis was a world traveler with a special fondness for visiting Africa as a past member of the Africa Travel Association. She also had a passion for shopping and always loved searching for a good bargain or a sale. As a child, she attended Bethel AME Church in Madison and participated in various church functions. But most of all, Phyllis adored spending time with her family, especially her siblings who she was very close to. She was also a phenomenal caregiver for her mother and her Aunt Thelma. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a memorial visitation with the family for Phyllis held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, followed by a memorial service celebrating her life starting at 12:00 p.m. For those unable to attend the service in person, you may attend virtually via livestream by visiting this link during the service.

Phyllis’ memory will be cherished by one brother, Charles C. Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Elaine; two sisters, Wendy-Jo Johnson and Linda E. Johnson; a sister-in-love, Karen “Peaches” Johnson; a very special friend, William Lee and many beloved nieces, nephews, family and dear friends. There are many friends in Ghana that will miss her as well. Phyllis was preceded in death by her dear brother, James E. Johnson in 2018. 

The ashes of our beloved sister Phyllis will be distributed in Cape Coast, Ghana in September 2025 where she will be joining our brother Jimmy.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that charitable contributions be made in Phyllis’ memory to Age of Awareness, www.ageofawareness.org. An organization that was very dear to her heart.