Marjorie Scott Johnson

Marjorie Scott Johnson peacefully departed this earthly life on Friday, February 15, 2019, at Sunrise Senior Living in Arlington, Virginia. She was born October 5, 1939, in Littleton, North Carolina, to the late Rev. Oliver and Irene Scott. Marjorie received her formal education in the Halifax County public school system and graduated from the McIver High School in Littleton in 1957. She excelled academically in school and at an early age exhibited exceptional musical talent. As a result, she received a music scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC. She graduated Suma Cum Laude from that university with a bachelor’s degree in music and later attended Catholic University of America, receiving her master's and PhD degrees in music pedagogy. Marjorie began her professional teaching career in Farmville, North Carolina, before moving on to Norfolk Catholic in Norfolk, Virginia, and Thalia Elementary School in Virginia Beach in the mid-1960s. In the late 1960s, she began teaching music as a part-time instructor at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, eventually becoming a full-time, tenured Professor of Music. She also served as the Acting Head of the Department of Music during more than 30 years at that institution. Many of those years included directing the university’s Summer Music Clinic and the Junior Music Program. She often personally paid the tuition of less fortunate students. Alongside Marjorie’s service to Norfolk State University was her service to God and her church. When Marjorie and her husband, the late Marcus Alton Johnson, Sr., first moved to Norfolk, they joined First Calvary Baptist Church. Marjorie taught Sunday school at First Calvary with Marcus before church service every Sunday for many years. Marjorie became the Director of Music at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Norfolk and, eventually, became a member of that church. She proudly served Covenant Presbyterian Church for over three decades. Marcus and Marjorie regularly visited friends and family in Littleton where they built a summer home nearby on Lake Gaston in 1978. The family still owns the home today and visits the area often. Marjorie was preceded in death by Marcus after 48 years of marriage. She is survived by three sons, Marcus Jr. and his wife, Anduela, Kyle and his wife, Jamie, and Ricky and his wife, Kristie; five grandchildren, Maxim Reese, Nikita Wyatt, Katelynn Alyce, Christopher Hebert, and Ethan Marcus; a step-granddaughter, Gabrielle; one brother, Junius, and three sisters Verlena, Priscilla and Wylettie. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, at Murphy Funeral Home located at 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia (Ballston Metro). Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 23, at 1 p.m. at Fidelity Baptist Church, 627 Summit Road, Littleton, North Carolina, with the Rev. John Rooks, pastor, delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow at the Johnson Family Cemetery. Robinson Funeral Home in Littleton is handling the burial arrangements.