The Original
JOHNSON & PHILLIPS
Reunion 2018 BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT Atlanta, GA | August 3-5 2018
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THE ORIGINAL
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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THE ORIGINAL
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
THE ORIGINAL
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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THE ORIGINAL
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
THE ORIGINAL
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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THE ORIGINAL
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.
THE ORIGINAL
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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
THE ORIGINAL
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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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THE ORIGINAL
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
THE ORIGINAL
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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