Patricia Johnson-Powell

 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

In Memoriam: Patricia Johnson-Powell (1948-2021)

The Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Patricia Ann Johnson-Powell. She went home to be with the Lord on March 9, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. Her loving husband, Larry Powell, was by her side.

Pat was born on January 24, 1948 in Jackson, Tennessee to Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. and Mrs. Grace Johnson. She received early Christian education on the cradle roll at St. Paul CME Church in Jackson and at Capers Memorial CME Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

Pat attended Allen High School in Ashville, North Carolina. She then attended Fisk University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in English and Philosophy. She went on to receive her Master of Arts degree at Clark Atlanta University, writing her thesis on “The Jazz and Blues Poetry of Langston Hughes.” She also furthered her education at Southern Illinois University.

 

After being introduced by a mutual friend, Patricia married Larry Powell on September 29, 1984. They were married for over 36 years.

Pat was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where she served as chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and volunteered for various ministries and programs. She was also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was an active member of the Johnson Family planning committee, and she and Larry served as hosts for the 2018 reunion. She was an advisor and supporter of the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project, a nonprofit preserving the legacy of her father. Pat believed in performing her civic duties and promoting social justice since her early days participating in marches with her father in Louisiana to recently encouraging people to vote in recent elections.

Pat had an accomplished career as a human resources executive. Most recently, she served as Director of Human Resources for HealthFirst Bluegrass from 2015 until her retirement in 2020. Prior to that, she served as Director of Human Resources for Lifeline Homecare, Associate Director of Human Resources at Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and Human Resources Consultant for DBA Equity Interventions. She received the high distinction in her industry of being a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and she strove for excellence and equity in the workplace.

Pat will be remembered for being a loving, encouraging, and giving person, always taking an interest in the lives of others. She believed in striving for excellence in all things, whether at work, at church, or at home.  She will be remembered for being kind and caring to her friends and loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bishop and Mrs. Joseph A. Johnson, Jr, and her brothers, Dr. Joseph A. Johnson III and Rev. Dr. Charles DeWitt Johnson.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Powell; bonus sons, Marcus Powell and Maurice Powell; grandchildren, Marcus Powell, Jr., Mariana Powell, Marius Powell, Marcell Powell; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins and friends.

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Vanderbilt University commissioned a portrait of Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. by world renowned portrait artist Simmie Knox. In October 2019, Patricia Johnson-Powell and other family members were present to share remarks at the dedication of the portrait. Watch video to hear Pat in her own words. Watch to the end to see the portrait.

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 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

Remembering the Johnson Men on Father’s Day

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I am told that Aunt Elsie once said of those Johnson men, “they don’t know when to stop going to school and they don’t know when to stop buying clothes.” The Johnson men were handsome, educated, God-fearing men who loved their family, served the church, and honored God. Therefore, we honor them on this Father’s Day weekend.

Pictured left to right are Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr., Charles Johnson, Rev. Joseph A. Johnson, Sr., Rev. James T. Johnson, and Rev. Dr. David H. Johnson.

Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. earned two doctoral degrees and was the first African American to graduate from Vanderbilt University. He was elected the 34th bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, and he was a noted scholar and theologian. Rev. Joseph A. Johnson Sr. served numerous churches as a CME pastor and presiding elder in Louisiana. Rev. James Johnson followed in his father’s footsteps and also served as a pastor and presiding elder in Louisiana. Rev. Dr. David Johnson was an ordained CME minister and educator who served as president of Texas College, a CME institution.

Patricia Johnson-Powell (who shared the photo), the daughter of Bishop Johnson, described the younger Johnson men as a formidable band of brothers who went to college together, sometimes made mischief together (plenty of funny family stories), and outdid each other looking sharp together. They each cut a fine figure and knew how to command a room personally and professionally. Most importantly, they were instilled by their father, Elder Johnson, with the indispensable necessity of faith, the importance of family, and the power of education to uplift their family, church, and community.

Happy Heavenly Father’s Day to the Johnson men! As the Johnson family prepares for our bi-annual family gathering, we are remembering them fondly, with gratitude for their impact on our lives and their lasting legacy in the CME Church and beyond.

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 by Cynthia Johnson-Oliver

Scholars, Religious Leaders Reflect on Bishop Johnson’s Life and Legacy

Banner Celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University
Panel Discussion on Legacy of Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr., held at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University L. to R.: Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, Dr. Riggins Earl, Bishop Paul Stewart, Dr. Evelyn Parker, and Dean Emilie Townes
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver speaks about Bishop Johnson's early life and ministry.
Dr. Riggins Earl reflects on Bishop Johnson's experience and legacy as the first African American student at Vanderbilt.
Bishop Paul Stewart speaks about Bishop Johnson's legacy in the CME Church.
Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick and Bishop Paul Stewart of the CME Church
L to R: Dwayne Johnson, Patricia Johnson-Powell, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, Dr. Riggins Earl, Bishop Paul Stewart, Dr. Evelyn Parker, Dean Emilie Townes, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, and Dr. Frank Dobson
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddck, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, and Dr. Riggins Earl
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver and Dean Emilie Townes
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver and Dr. Evelyn Parker

The auditorium of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University was filled with students and other members of the Vanderbilt community, members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, including Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, and members of the Johnson family, all of whom gathered to hear reflections on the life and legacy of the Black Cultural Center’s namesake, Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.

The event was a panel discussion on the life and legacy of Bishop Johnson that featured scholars and religious leaders. Panelists included Bishop Paul Stewart, retired senior bishop of the CME Church; Dr. Evelyn Parker, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Perkins School of Theology; Dr. Riggins Earl, Professor of Ethics and Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center; and Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, JD, granddaughter of Bishop Johnson and president of the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project. Dr. Emilie Townes, Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, served as moderator of the panel. Dr. Frank Dobson, Director of the Black Cultural Center, introduced the panel.

Rev. Johnson-Oliver, who is currently writing a biography of Bishop Johnson, reflected on his early life and ministry. Dr. Earl then gave reflections on Bishop Johnson’s experiences and his legacy as the first African American student at Vanderbilt. Bishop Stewart reflected on Bishop Johnson’s legacy as a bishop in the CME Church. Dr. Parker offered reflections on growing up as a youth in the episcopal district in which Bishop Johnson presided, along with his scholarly legacy. A highlight of the discussion came after a question by Kevin Brown, a Vanderbilt Divinity School student, who asked about Bishop Johnson as a husband and father. From the audience, Patricia Johnson-Powell, daughter of Bishop Johnson, gave a heart-warming reflection of an egalitarian husband who shared in household responsibilities and regularly affirmed her as his “baby girl.” The panel also addressed questions about Bishop Johnson’s books and their significance today.

[Video of panel discussion is forthcoming.]

Bishop Johnson was the first African American to be admitted to Vanderbilt University. He went on to become the first African American to graduate, receiving the Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1954, and the first to receive the Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1958. In 1971, he was elected to the Vanderbilt Board of Trust and two years later preached at the Divinity School’s Cole Lectures. Bishop Johnson was also the 34th Bishop of the CME Church, the first President of Phillips School of Theology, and Professor of New Testament at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.

In 1984, the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt was dedicated in his honor. In 2013, the Bishop Joseph Johnson History Project was started by Bishop Johnson’s granddaughter, Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver.

The panel discussion marked the 100th anniversary of Bishop Johnson’s birth and the 60th anniversary of Bishop Johnson’s first graduation from Vanderbilt. The Black Cultural Center is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. At an awards ceremony later that evening, Bishop Johnson posthumously received the Distinguished Alumni award conferred by Vanderbilt Divinity School.

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