Geraldine Johnson

Geraldine Johnson, daughter of the late James and Ruby Stanmore was born December 7, 1933 in Washington, D.C. She was the second of three children.

Gerri was educated in the DC public school system. She graduated from Armstrong High School and attended Howard University. She graduated Howard University June 1956 as a certified Medical Technician and started her career working as a Blood Bank Technician at the National Institutes of Health. She retired from Georgetown University Hospital.

Gerri met and married the love of her life, Timothy Sydney Johnson. May 7, 1955. They stayed married until his death in June 2009.Gerri loved family and children. After her retirement, she happily opened her home to daycare services for young children and infants. Gerri and Tim opened their own business providing catering services and live music. The company called GERDOWIT which operated successfully until it concluded. Being so family oriented, she would take her children on weekends and go “pop-calling”. Pop-Calling is when you would show up to a friend’s or family member’s house unannounced and uninvited. We were always welcomed, be it briefly or for a few hours. She became a Girl Scout Leader and supported her girls in the program. Her bestie is Elaine Saunders and they would do so many things together. She traveled with Elaine and the Culture Club to various plays, restaurants, shopping outlets and casinos. She and Elaine took cruise ship excursions together. She also enjoyed her time with family at Disney World in Florida. She was adamant about attending family reunions and greatly disappointed when she could not attend. Family meant a great deal to Gerri and she would support anyone when she could.

As an active member of the 1952 Armstrong Alumni, Gerri was a part of the team that helped plan reunions that brought classmates together for memorable occasions. She hosted several get-togethers in her own home.

Gerri was a child of GOD. Growing up as a Preacher’s daughter she spent a lot of time attending church services and supporting the Baptist religion. She played the piano, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school classes. She loved the LORD and as her age advanced she could not make it to church but would have church services playing on the TV and gospel music playing on the radio and/or Alexa.

Gerri is preceded in death by her husband Timothy Johnson Sr., older brother James H. Stanmore Jr., daughter Jacqueline Jones; nephews Jerome Goldman, and H. Tariq Johnson; Sister-in-law Barbara Conyers. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory, two children Aminah R. Ali, and Timothy S. Johnson, Jr.; seven grandchildren Jeanette Moore, Daryl Johnson, Jarnisha Savage; Daria Ali, Danielle Johnson, Jessica Jones, and Sydney Johnson; seven great grandchildren Daryl Johnson Jr., Anthony Marshall, MaShayla Green-Ali, Zachariah Green-Ali, Naomi Moore, Malaya Green-Ali, Zamir Wright; her younger sister Vivian Goldman; two nieces Margaret Brack, and Vanessa Hooker; three nephews William Conyers, James L. Stanmore, Jr., John Stanmore, and a host of other aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.––

Gerri leaves behind a legacy of compassion and warmth that will be deeply missed.