Alvin S. Johnson

Alvin Sidney Johnson departed this life on June 7, 2023. He was born in the Bronx, New York on August 2, 1941 and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, the son of William Jasper Johnson and Lillian Elizabeth Oliver. His parents preceded him in death as well as his first wife Vivian Marie Patrick and his brother William Henry Gillispie (Mattie).

Alvin’s legacy was embodied in his wife Vera Doe Johnson, his children, Joycelyn Johnson, Marchette Johnson, Alvin Johnson, Jr. (deceased), and Chrystal Wilson; four grandchildren, Channing Johnson, Jasmine Johnson, Ja’Nya Johnson and Sydney Wilson; and three great-grandchildren, JoiMarie Foster, Jasiah Foster and Javon Foster.

As you are all aware family history was always a very strong part of his life. His parental linage was his father, William Jasper Johnson; grandfather Mellon Jasper Johnson; great-grandfather, Monday Johnson; great-great-grand father; Samuel Johnson and his great-great grandfather, the African, Peter Johnson.

Alvin grew up in and attended segregated public school in Wilmington, North Carolina and graduated from Williston Senior High School in 1959. He Graduated from North Carolina Central University, Magna Cum Laude, majoring in Psychology/German. He always said this distinction was due to the excellent preparation he received at Williston Senior High School. In addition, he had a post graduate Professional License in Supervision and Administration in German and Business Education as well as a Certificate in Theology. He served as an Adjunct Professor at the Cornell School of Industrial Relations, New York and Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Business, Baltimore, Maryland. He was also one of the founding members of Kinte Investment Club, Baltimore, Maryland.

He went on to become one of the first Blacks to receive a Master’s in Business Administration with distinction, from Fordham University in New York. Again, he strongly believed his educational accomplishments were because of the preparation he received from outstanding Black teachers in high school and in college.

Rarely did you hear Alvin talk about the amazing jobs he held or the accomplishments during his tenure at various companies, where most often he was the first Black person to hold the position. He always gave the glory to God for allowing him to be successful against all odds.

Alvin had an extensive background in all areas of human resources management in corporate business unit and public sector settings. He started his career at New York Life Insurance Company and went on to Bristol Myers –Squibb, NY; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland; Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte, NC; Hampton City Schools, Hampton, VA; Ray & Associates Consulting; he held a position on Sandy Springs Board of Appeals, in addition to running his own businesses, The Channing Group, a consulting firm; Johnson & Oliver a firm specializing in recruiting teachers for public schools and independent schools.

Alvin enjoyed each person God brought across his path during his eight decades of life, particularly the bond with his high school classmates and the Senior Ministry at St. James UMC.

Life was not always easy for Alvin, but he always pressed forward through all the twists and turns on the way to becoming one with Jesus Christ.

He would always say………”Do not grieve for me. I have had my bags packed for a while and I am ready for the transition”.