Emma Irene “LIL ME” Johnson

Emma Irene Johnson, daughter of the late Joe Carey and Lila Thompson-Weldon was born on December 11, 1935.

Emma was educated in the Westmoreland County, Virginia public school system. At a young age she acknowledged Christ as her Personal Savior and joined Jerusalem Baptist Church in Oldhams, Virginia.

Emma was joined in holy matrimony to John Willie Johnson, Sr. and from their union, they were blessed with 7 children: Shirley, Elsie, William, John, Colynn, Wayne, and Theresa. She was also blessed with her firstborn child, Sherman.

Emma started working at a very young age working numerous jobs. In the 1960’s she worked at the National Linen Service, in Alexandria, Virginia. In the 1970’s she worked at Arrowhead in Montross, Virginia until she retired. During the summers, she drove the farm truck picking up locals to pick tomatoes for Monroe Self in Westmoreland County, Virginia.  She made sure her children were out in the tomato field working alongside her.

Emma had a love for fishing, gardening, and canning fruits, vegetables, and preserves. She also was huge sports fans and did not like to be disturbed when watching her favorite football team, Washington Redskins and her favorite baseball team, Atlanta Braves. An enjoyable pastime of her and her late husband was sitting outside on the porch watching their children and neighborhood kids playing softball. She cherished helping raise and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved to share stories about her childhood and growing up back in the day. Emma also loved to remind us of who our family is and how we needed to know one another and stay united. She was straight-forward and meant what she said out of love.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Carey, and Lila Weldon; husband, John Willie Johnson, Sr.; sons, William Johnson and John Johnson, Jr.; and brother, Theodore Thompson.

She leaves to cherish her many memories: Her loving children: Sherman Henry of Rhode Island, Shirley (Mike) Pollard of Tappahannock, Virginia, Elsie Johnson-Dabney of Tappahannock, Virginia, Colynn Jackson of Tappahannock, Virginia, Wayne Johnson of King William, Virginia, Theresa Braxton of Tappahannock, Virginia; brothers: James (Marie) Thompson of Oldhams, Virginia, William Thompson of Hague, Virginia, Charles Thompson of Hague, Virginia and Howard (Marie) Thompson of Warsaw, Virginia; special friend, Cora “Nita” Mackey; close cousin, Lucille Shelton; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. 

Funeral Services for Emma Irene “LIL ME “Johnson will be held on Friday, October 20 at 12 Noon in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME.

Interment will follow in the Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery, 2404 Nomini Hall Road, Hague, Virginia.

Remains may be viewed from 4PM until 6PM on Thursday, October 19 and from 10AM until service time on Friday at the funeral home.

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