The Celebration of Life for Vivian Ruth Johnson who passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2021 will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021, 1:00 pm at Orange Hill Cemetery, 4900 E. Chelsea Street, Rev. RJ Stevenson, officiating. The interment will follow.

Vivian was born on October 6, 1934, in Marion, South Carolina to Minnie Johnson and Virgil Johnson, Sr. She was the youngest of their 3 children. In 1940 Minnie and her 3 children moved to Tampa Florida to assist their uncle Attorney Z. D. Green whose health had begun to fail. Vivian was known to her friends as 'VIP' her students 'Miss Johnson' but to everyone else she was 'GRANNY' Vivian was educated in Hillsborough County; she attended St. Peter Clever Catholic School and Don Thompson graduating with the Class of 1952. She continued her education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and received her BA Degree in Elementary Education in 1956. Vivian retired from the Hillsborough County School system in June 2000, during her 43-year tenue she taught at the following schools: Harlem Academy (1957 - 1959), Christian Meacham Elementary (1959 - 1969) Robert E. Lee Elementary (1969 - 1971) and Robles Elementary (1971- 2000) in addition to 43 regular academic school years she taught 42 summer program years (1957 - 1999) Vivian was a member of Historic St. Paul AME Church in downtown Tampa and in later years. New St. Paul AME Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher for the Beginners and Primary classes and member of the Kennon's Beautification Committee. Vivian's love and passion remained children, she taught, mentored and care for thousands of children as she served so many as their 1st grade teacher. Vivian was preceded in death by her father, Virgil Johnson, Sr.; mother, Minnie Johnson Quick; stepfather, Lister Quick; her sisters, Evelyn B. Johnson and Ann Jackson; her niece, Kathy Harris and Johnson Reeves; her uncle, Attorney Zechariah D. Green; Vivian is survived by her daughter, Joselyn Walker Saffore; 4 grandchildren, Donnetta C. Walker, Devin C. Walker, Donald J. Walker, Jr. (Chrisonna Chester) and Joselyne' A. Saffore; 14 great grandchildren, Jor'Dayn I. Walker Larry, JayDunn I. Walker Larry, Bianca D. Walker, La'Deviya M. J. Gilbert, Ja'Daya A. Walker Saffore, Donald J. Walker, III, Don'tre J. Walker, Donnel J. Walker, Ja'Zaria A. Saffore, Taliyah M. M. Walker, Donnay J. Walker, Muzik R. T. Gilbert, Jor'Jaye I. Walker Larry and Joselyn A. V; nieces, Barbara Harris Jones and Aristea Johnson Williams (Carl); nephews, Charles Larry, II, and Phillip Davis; adopted children, Toni Warner, Latoya Gilbert, David C. Williams (Pauline) and Oscar J. Larry; adopted grandchildren; Lakayla Morris, Michaela Bevel and Shontae White; adopted great grandchildren, Antonio Larry, Taleya Brown, Theonate Walton, Herbert L. Davis, III and Sylvester Samuels, Jr.; adopted god-child, Ollie Keeton Burgin.

The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, April 30th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the graveside on Saturday for the service. We are following the CDC guidelines.

Visitation
Chapel of Hope, Aikens Funeral Home
Friday, April 30, 2021
04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tampa, FL 33610

Graveside Service
Orange Hill Cemetery
Saturday, May 1, 2021
01:30 AM
4900 E. Chelsea St
Tampa, FL 33610