Lucy Olivia Johnson

Lucy Olivia Patterson Johnson was born on July 1, 1930 in Hanover County, Montpelier, Virginia. She was the youngest of four children and only daughter of the late Stiles and Dolly Thomas Patterson. Alvin, Stiles and Thomas all preceded her in death.
Olivia joined Bethany Baptist Church in August 1941 and attended services regularly. She loved Bethany Baptist Church, and her church family. She participated in several ministries and attended regularly until her health declined.

Lucy was affectionately known as Aunt Olivia, Olivia, OJ and her favorite “Big Ma”. Each year she began school at Bethany Elementary in Montpelier, but in winter months moved with her paternal grandmother (Lucy) to attend Clifton Forge Schools to prevent her from walking a long distance. She received her GED from Hanover Training School (now John M. Gandy) in Ashland. Lucy married the late Clarence W. Johnson in 1946 and was a devoted, caring, and loving wife for 28 years. They had one daughter Sylvia.

Olivia worked at Montpelier Telephone Company, Roselawn Cemetery and retired from the Defense General Supply Center (DGSC-Bellwood) after 20 years of service. She enjoyed cooking for everyone who stopped by and welcomed them with open arms. She opened her home and provided shelter for many family members and friends. She was a wonderful baker and known by friends and family for her delicious desserts , OJ’s Pies.

The “Apples” of her Eye were her special love ones, Sylvia, Jamie, Tami, her great grands (she claimed as grandchildren). Although Sylvia was her caregiver, they were like sisters and best friends; you seldom saw one without the other. She loved to travel with Platinum Tours (Roddy’s Bus as she called it).

Olivia leaves to cherish her memories a loving devoted and caring daughter, Sylvia; grandson Jamie (Tami) and 3 loving great grands, James II, Miles and Aubri; two aunts, Agnes T. Mitchell and Jeannette Thomas, sister-in-law Marie Valentine. Also a very special and cherished friend of many years, William Stokes (Pig), and a large host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including loving extended families (Fountains and Lankfords) and Sylvia’s “chosen” sisters, Myrtle Thompson, Joyce Robinson, Grendolyn Johnson, and Bernice Dye

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now here is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.