Thelma Lorene Crosby Johnson was born on September 28, 1940 in Wilmington, North Carolina to the late Charles M. Crosby and late Walmeta James Crosby. After valiantly fighting a serious illness for over a year, she departed this life and entered her eternal rest on July 24, 2021 at her home. Thelma was educated in the public schools of Wilmington and upon graduation she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and attended Johnson C. Smith University earning her undergraduate degree. At this time, she pledged with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and became a proud, lifelong member. She continued her studies at Indiana University earning a graduate degree. In 1970, she married Edmond R. Johnson. She was a caring wife during their 24 years of marriage. From their union three daughters were born. She was a loving and supportive mother, raising her precious girls with pride and joy. Reentering the workforce after the birth of her first two daughters, she moved into educational administration focusing on staff development. She became the first EEO officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system and retired as the Director of Employee Relations. In 1995,  Thelma moved to Virginia and, not one to rest, took a role with the Arlington Public Schools as Personnel Director where her primary focus was staffing educators and teachers while working closely with principals, including dear friends Miriam Hughey-Guy and Pat Anderson. She remained in this role for five years before taking her official retirement and moving back to her home state. Upon retirement, she made time for traveling and spending time with friends and family. When her much loved and only grandchild Evan was born in 2014, she moved back to Virginia to spend her time as a doting grandmother. In 2017, she made her final move to Florida where she spent the remainder of her retirement years, continuing to travel, spend time with friends, and become involved in causes that were important to her. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her daughter, Erica. She leaves to mourn, with cherished memories, her daughters, Edrenna Johnson and Enid Johnson Pope (Desmond); her sisters, Geneva Spencer (William) and Carolyn Davis (Robert); her grandson, Evan Johnson; longtime friend Ann Irving; special friend John Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and close friends whose lives she graced with her generosity, humor, and loving spirit.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at 1550 Rosencrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or www.pancan.org .

Condolences may be shared with the family here on on our online guestbook ( www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com )