2018 Johnson Phillips Reunion Booklet

The Original

JOHNSON & PHILLIPS

Reunion 2018 BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT Atlanta, GA | August 3-5 2018

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MARION'S GREETING A Welcome from the Atlanta Chapter President

Welcome Johnson/Phillips Family I want to welcome everyone and personally thank you for allowing us to host the Georgia Johnson/Phillips Family reunion Aug. 3-5, 2018. We are excited about everyone coming to our fair state, and we want to make it a time to remember. Our forefathers and mothers would be proud to know that we are still here continuing to make the family stronger through fellowship, praise and the glory of God. I know that you will be satisfied with what we have planned for you, so please make sure that you have your packet and agenda for the entire weekend's events. We have a lot packed in to this short weekend, and our goal is to keep you busy throughout the entire time. Â So, get ready Family, because we are ready, and hope you are too. Let's fellowship and get acquainted again and again and again. Â I am excited about having you in our city, please let me or anyone on the committee know if you need anything. We will be more than happy to oblige.

Reunion time is here, and we are ready, are you!

With Much Love Coming to You Georgia Johnson/Phillips Committee President Marion Johnson Vice President Terry Johnson

ATLANTA, GA 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01

President's Message

09

Family History

03

Itinerary

10

Memorial

04

Family Colors & Song

10

Lineage

05

Friday & Saturday Menus

13

Atlanta Chapter

Banquet Itinerary

14

Special Thanks & Family Businesses

06

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REUNION ITINERARY FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD

4PM | MEET & GREET AT THE HOTEL 5PM | TRANSPORTATION TO JERMAINE'S HOUSE FOR FISH FRY 6PM-10PM | FISH FRY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH

PLEASE WEAR YOUR SHIRT | BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL ACTIVITIES: 9-11AM | LADIES SPECIAL MEET FAMILY BUSINESS OWNERS- Guest Room 9:30AM | TRANSPORTATION TO SIGHT SEEING AND SHOPPING 10AM -1PM | SIGHTSEEING 1PM | LADIES SPECIAL MEET FAMILY BUSINESS OWNERS- Guest Room 1PM -3PM | SHOPPING 3PM -5PM | FREE TIME 5PM | TRANSPORTATION TO THE BANQUET 6:05PM | BANQUET 6:30PM | DINNER

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH

10AM | CHURCH ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH NORTH 540 CAMERON MADISON ALEXANDER BLVD NW, ATLANTA

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FAMILY COLORS & SONG BLACK & GOLD

The Descendants of Smart and Annette Johnson have chosen the colors black and gold Black: Symbolizes our rich heritage, strength, hope and our tie to our mother country.

Gold: Symbolizes our religious beliefs, love, peace and our natural wealth.

AMAZING GRACE

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MENU FRIDAY

Fish Hot dogs & buns Slice bread Bake Beans Salad w/dressings Chips Watermelon Soda, Juice & Water

SATURDAY

Fried/Grilled Chicken Beef Brisket Green Beans Mac & Cheese Banana Pudding Peach Cobbler Sweet Tea Bottled Water

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BANQUET PROGRAM August 4th | Clarkston Community Center

Master of Ceremony - Marion Johnson Memorial Moment - Marion Johnson Welcome - Camille James PowerPoint Presentation - Infinite Dance Theater Blessing of the Food - Shari Johnson Dinner Entertainment Recognitions Remarks – Atlanta Chapter Family Song - Charlene Johnson Closing Prayer - Gary Johnson

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FAMILY HISTORY A SUMMARY OF WHERE WE COME FROM

Great-Great Grand Parents:

Their son Isaiah learned tailoring at an early age and

After the Civil War ex-slaves Robert and Jennie

joined his other relatives in Orangeburg, South

Whittleton did not know where to go but they knew

Carolina. He opened his own shop and spent his life

they had relatives in Orangeburg, SC. However,

making clothes for the wealthy. His brother John

difficult travel was, they picked up their things and

loved the land and spent his entire life on the farm.

made the move. Walter Drew a white plantation

Great- Great Uncle William’s daughter Jennie Siah

owner offered to hire them as share croppers they

had 17 children. We started early with a large strong

accepted the offer and went to live on his plantation.

family and continued strong as the late great Willie

Working on the land was not new to the

and late Zenia Johnson matched Jennie’s number in

Whittletons. They were born somewhere in Virginia

kids with 17 children of their own 12 boys and 5 girls.

on a plantation that raised slaves for the market.

With all the grandchildren, William Whittleton lived

They were sold to slave owners in Sumter County in

to be over 100 years of age.

South Carolina and had served them until the end of

During the 1870s the Whittletons became a very

the Civil War. As free blacks, they were going to do

prominent family living in the community of

continually what they knew to toil with the land.

Wedgefield in Sumter County. Annette and Eve,

Robert and Jennie gave birth to several children and

their two lovely daughters sang in the choir in the

were blessed to raise five to adulthood. They were

little church that was built for ex-slaves. The church,

Isaiah, John, William, Eve, and Annette.

called Orange Hill was also used as a school to teach

Robert and Jennie taught their children to work

the basics: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

hard with their hands and serve God in their hearts.

The children learned how to plow the land to make

The Phillips

it yield good crops. They learned how to pick cotton

Jennie and Robert was very proud of their daughter

and gather corn and other commodities. They

Eve when she married the Itinerate Methodist

learned how to build and added more rooms on the

Preacher Alexander Phillips who himself was an ex-

shack that the white farmer gave them to live in.

slave. Eve and Alexander Phillips blessed Jennie and Robert with nine grandchildren.

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Great-Great Grand Parents:

The Migration to New York:

Jennie and Robert’s daughter Annette who was

In the early 1930s a great depression fell upon the

known as, “The bell of Wedgefield.” Her heart was captured by a young handsome man named, Smart Johnson who lived on a nearby farm. The beautiful Annette and tall dark and of course handsome man Smart made to be a stunning couple. Annette and Smart Johnson became parents of four lovely children. Their names were Bessie, Albert, Henry and Herbert. The Johnsons and Phillips grew up together on the plantation surrounded by their loving grandparents, Jennie and Robert Whittleton they would gather together often to harvest the crops or to sing and play their hand made instruments or weave baskets.

Grand Parents

nation, both blacks and whites were out of work, and hunger was prevalent all over. The Johnson’s had learned to survive because they had learned how to grow and preserve their own food. In 1935 Elsie who had already been working to assist with the family finances, decided to journey to New York to seek better opportunities for employment. Many black women ventured off to New York to get domestic jobs. There was a man in Sumter they called, “Black Boy.” He would find domestic jobs for young women of the south and then transport them to New York. As the women worked, they would pay Black Boy $.50 a week until they finished paying him for the trip to New York. Black Boy brought Elsie to New York and placed her on a job. Elsie did not find

"Annette and Smart Johnson’s son Herbert stayed

life easy in the city. She worked very steadily but

home with his parents until he met the lovely former

during the peak of the depression she found herself

Ellen Preston who lived on a farm nearby. Evidently,

out of a steady work. However, Elsie was very thrifty

it was love at first sight because Herbert asked Mr.

and she was able to take care of herself and help

and Mrs. Tom Preston for Ellen’s hand in marriage

the family at home during those difficult years of the

after only a few precious visits to the Preston’s home.

great depression. The war broke out and the

After their marriage, Ellen and Herbert Johnson left

Johnson boys were drafted into the military. Millions

Wedgefield area and moved to a farm northwest of

of jobs opened all over America and Elsie landed a

the City of Sumter. The neighborhood was called

job working in a factory making supplies for the

"Shout Pout". There they blessed Annette and Smart

soldiers.

Johnson with nine healthy grandchildren, five tall

Elsie soon found her cousin Sarah Phillips McDaniel,

dark and sturdy sons and four elegant daughters

who had arrived in New York in 1929. Elsie was soon

Ellen and Herbert were proud of their children. The

joined by her brothers Henry Jr. and Eugene. Willie

boys Clifton, Henry, Willie, Herbert Jr. and Eugene

returned home from after the war, married the

were taught early to run the farm while their father

former Zenia Alston and created their own family of seventeen children.

worked in the furniture factory in the City of Sumter.

Their daughters, Elsie, Esther Mae, Louise and Annette II were taught to sew, cook, can food, and maintain an immaculate home.

As the boys got older they got tired of the farm and Ellen and Herbert moved within the city limits. The family remembering their roots spent much time worshipping in St. James Methodist Church. There all the family members rendered service to God and humanity.

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WORLD WAR II World War II came and Herbert and Ellen’s house was empty. Ellen and Herbert lived peacefully in their home for many years. Herbert would often get in his wood truck and drive out to Wedgefield to visit his uncle William Whittleton, his cousin Jennie Siah and her seventeen children. He would often stop by the graveyard where his grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins were buried. He knew that their bodies had returned to the red clay of Orange Hill that gave rise to them. But their love still surrounded him.

Herbert would probably drive back home thanking God for the grace that allowed him to pass on to his children the love for God, love for humanity and work, the great love that his strong, loyal ancestors had so faithfully passed on to him.

The Johnsons soon became comfortable in New York and became a vital force in Bethany Baptist Church of New York City. They were active members of the Usher Board, Choir, the Deaconess, Board, the Church School and many other organizations.

The nine Johnson children blessed their parents, Herbert and Ellen Johnson with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, great-great-great grandchildren, and more on the way.

Within the family unit, we have teachers, nurses, carpenters, beauticians, computer operators, secretary, musicians, electricians, doctors, others who are skilled workers and professionals. All are making an ample contribution to society.

Today we thank our Father for Jennie and Robert Whittleton, Annette and Smart Johnson, Herbert and Ellen Johnson and a slew of cousins, uncles, relatives, and friends who helped mold this family into model citizens.

God has led us from a plantation in Virginia to the slave market in South Carolina, through the factories in New York City into the hope for a finer tomorrow. So we march onward and upward. We carry in our hearts an appreciation of love in the past, a love for Christ in the present, and hope in Jesus in the future.

We also honor those who have dedicated their entire lives to our family and cherish every moment we had with them. Let us not forget the contribution these individuals made to our lives and to the world.

IN LOVING MEMORY HONORING THOSE WHO PASSED SINCE OUR LAST FAMILY GATHERING

ESTHER MAE SMITH

RICHARD JOHNSON

ZENIA JOHNSON

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LINEAGE Willie & Zenia Johnson

Great Grandchildren Jada, Javier, Mattilyn (Mattie), Bernard (BJ), Ksaani, Camille, Jordan, Danielle (Dani), Michaiah, Averie,

Children

Jettson (Jett), Daschel (Dash), Ryson, Shaihnna,

Richard, Sammie (Sam), Cleveland (Cleve), Melvin,

Kyanna, Cordasia (Day Day), Cassandra (Toya), Tyrone

Eugene (Gene), Willie (Buster), Rudine, Alice, Ella,

(TJ), Briannica (Nikki), Loundale (Lonnie), Dre’Quan,

Wessie (Mae), Marion, Brinda (Ann), JC, Gary, Terry,

TyQuan, Dy’Leasha, Zytraous, KyJuan, Da’Kerah,

David, and Redgey

Na’tahj, Breanna, Ashanti, Micah, Madison, Mason, Riley, Tylisha, Torrez, Keyshaun, Jaquai, Amari, Elijah, Nayia, Malik, Marley, Gazelle (GiGi), Ayda, Josiah (JoJo), Aubrey, Isaiah, Reaiah, Benjamin, Caleb,

Grandchildren

Micaiah, Hannah, and Micah

Jermaine, Derrick, Gerard (Rod), Matthew (Matt), Bernard, Tangana, Trina, Taesha, Shari, Kelley, Yulanda, Cassandra, Edward, Quincy, Clinton, Quantina, Ramona, Shalay, Niya, Nedra, Zachary (Zach), Antonio, Nekeshia (Keshia), Harry (Ron), Charles, Charteir, Lisa, Pamela (Pam), Janesa,

Great-Great Grandchildren Kailyn (Kay) and Saa’hir

Lakeisha (Kisha), Reginald (Reggie), Clifton (CJ), Dy’Shala (Shala), Bryant (Randy), Natalie (Nate), Octavian (Tay), and Jaraya.

Esther Mae and Annette also joined their sister Elsie in New York

LINEAGE Lester & Esther Mae Smith Children Eddie and Gregory

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Clifton remained home, married a local girl Mary M. Willis, and increased the family by five.

LINEAGE Clifton & Mary Johnson Children Clifton Jr., Freddie Lee, Mary Ann, Elaine, and Peggy

Great Grandchildren Samantha, Brandon, Donte, and Morgan, Arreyelle

Grandchildren Chezonne, Xenia, Charlene, Catrina, Charles, LaShanda

LINEAGE Ferdinand & Annette Plowden Children Ferdinand (Chip) Jr., Stanley, Ivan, Monique and Rosemarie

Great Grandchildren Narvin Jr., Anthony, Xia, Tenisha, LaTiffiany, Takelia,

Grandchildren

Dea Shawn, Karneron, Jacob,, Joshua, Alex and Jake

Zulema, Ivan Jr. Raneisha, Geneva, Nadjai and Japhet

Elsie Johnson

EJ

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Louise, the hot foot member of the family, came to New York only a brief period. Louise lived in several places before settling in Detroit.

LINEAGE John James & Anna Louise Bailey Children Herbert, Gwendolyn, John, James and Antionette

Great Grandchildren Sierra, Malkyah, Amara, Cassius, Zachary, Khy, Anitria, Patric, James, Dontre, Jacree, Justin, Reghan, Jacob, Destiny, Anthony, Majesty, Charity, Liberty,

Grandchildren

Symphony, Elizabeth

Herbert Jr., Eric, Kyle, Reginald, Ayana, Baraka, Jasmine, Ruth, Rebekah, Juretta

Great-Great Grandchildren Thaddeus, Langston, Caiden, Trooper, Sailor

LINEAGE Herbert Jr. & Georgia Johnson Child Willie O. (WJ)

Henry Johnson

EJ

Eugene Johnson

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ATLANTA CHAPTER OFFICERS President: Marion Johnson Vice President: Terry Johnson Secretary: Shari Johnson Assistant Secretary: Pamela Spellman Treasurer: Charlene Johnson Chaplin: Gary Johnson COMMITTEES

Accommodations: Marion Johnson; Pamela Spellman; Shari Johnson Banquet: Charlene Johnson; Pamela Spellman; Shari Johnson Decorations: Pamela Spellman; Shari Johnson Entertainment: Gary Johnson; Shari Johnson Fundraiser: Pamela Spellman; Shari Johnson Meet & Greet: Charlene Johnson; Marion Johnson; Shari Johnson Souvenir Booklet: Charlene Johnson; Pamela Spellman; Shari Johnson T-Shirt: Pamela Spellman; Shari Johnson Transportation: Jermaine Johnson; Terry Johnson; Zulema Booker

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SPECIAL THANKS Thank you, Janesa White, for assisting us with our reunion t-shirts, booklets, decorations and so much more. (Nicecatchmarketing.com) Infinite Dance Theater Shalay Johnson 1979 Parker CT, Suite A Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087 Website: www.infinitedancetheater.com Little Sweetie Cakery Pamela Johnson Website: littlesweetiescakery.wixsite.com/wrcakes ADDITIONAL FAMILY BUSINESSES

Mary Kay

Traveling Shari

Pamela Johnson

Shari Johnson

Website: www.marykay.com/pjohnson8196

sharijohnson.inteletravel.com Email: travelingshari@gmail.com

Morrow Early Learning Shewan Johnson

TwoShady

5881 Phillips Drive

Niya Johnson

Forest Park, Georgia 30297

Website: twoshady.com

Website: morrowearlylearning.com Secure My Credit SugaSweet Cupcakery

Deborah Truitt

Kelley Greene

Email:Â securemycreditnow@gmail.com

Email: sugasweetcakery@gmail.com

Website: www.securemycredit.net

Facebook & IG: Sugasweetcupcakery Lift & Grace Gifted Creations

Vinyl Printing and Designs

Facebook: @giftedcreations

Facebook: @LiftandGrace

Email: giftedcreations18@gmail.com Tiny Kreations Tenisha Booker-Mills | Wig Units MytinyKreation.com Email: Mytinykreation1@gmail.com

nicecatchmarketing.com