Mrs. Hilda G. Johnson

With heartfelt sympathy, the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., and members of the Johnson family announce the passing of Mrs. Hilda G. Johnson of Darlington, SC. Mrs. Johnson transitioned peacefully on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones in Decatur, GA. 

The family will be receiving condolences and friends 1:00-5:00 PM, Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the family home, 116 Tallulah St, Darlington, SC.

Public viewing will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025, in the Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., Chapel, 612 S. Main St, Darlington, SC and from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025, at St James United Methodist Church, 312 Pearl St, Darlington, SC.

The Ivy Beyond the Wall Service will be 6:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025, at St James United Methodist Church, 312 Pearl St, Darlington, SC.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St James United Methodist Church, 312 Pearl St, Darlington, SC. Interment will follow at Faith Memorial Gardens, Rogers Rd, Darlington, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to St. James United Methodist Church at (843) 393-1407 or The Palmetto Pearls Foundation at https://thepalmettopearlsfoundation.org/  in her memory for being a Charter member of Epsilon Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
 

Celebration of a BEAUTIFUL Life

      Leaving a BEAUTIFULLY lived life in the shadows, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, the time came for Mrs. Hilda Grayson Johnson, to peacefully transition to her heavenly destiny. She was surrounded by her loving family at the home of her daughter in Decatur, GA. 

     Hilda was born on February 22, 1930, in Beaufort, SC. She was the middle child of offspring born to Hilda Glover Grayson and St. Clair Bradley Grayson. As the middle sibling, she enjoyed all the attention she received from her older sister, Rubye Grayson Parker and younger brother, Harold Gray Bradley Grayson.

     Hilda attended Robert Smalls’ School in Beaufort County for her entire secondary school experience, K-12. She graduated at the age of sixteen and entered what was then known as State Agricultural and Mechanical College, now named South Carolina State University (SCSU)-located in Orangeburg, SC.  She savored every morsel of her college living and learning experience. Close familial bonds undergirded her college safety and success, as her first cousin Dr. Howard Jordon, Jr. – who was raised as a brother – was a professor at SCSU and her sister Rubye worked in the President’s office during that time.

     It was because of Rubye's sorority involvement, that Hilda became interested in being a part of a sorority. Naturally, she followed in her sister's footsteps and was initiated in the Beta Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., at SCSU in 1949. During her senior year, she ran for Miss SCSU and was crowned first runner-up. She proudly graduated in 1950, with a degree in Library Science with Honors. 

     Darlington County, SC, proved to be fertile ground for Hilda. At the tender age of twenty, not only did she meet the love of her life, Earl Johnson, Sr., with whom she was joined in matrimony for over 70 years, she also gained her first employment experience as a librarian at Mayo High School. She served there until the early 70s and was then transferred to St. John’s High School – also in Darlington County - where she remained until her retirement in 1984. During this time, she also worked as a part-time librarian at Florence Darlington Technical College (FDTC) in Florence, SC.

     After retirement, Hilda was not content with just staying at home, so she began serving on several governing boards for community-based organizations. In addition, she began working as a court advocate for youth. Her heartfelt belief was that all children could be successful with proper guidance. Hilda’scommunity service extended into working with the after-school program at St. James United Methodist Church (SJUMC) in Darlington, SC where she was a member. Her experience in education enabled her to work effortlessly as she helped children with homework and reading skills.  She also graciously served in the same capacity for the district’s alternative school program, then called, Sonovista School.  As a cherished member of the community, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, grace and strength…a BEAUTIFUL light to all who knew her.

     Hilda was a valuable enduring member of several organizations: the Darlington County Alumni Chapter of SCSU National Alumni Association, the Darlington County Retired Teachers’ Association and the NAACP. After graduating from college, she along with sixteen other SCSU graduates chartered the Epsilon Chi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Florence, SC. In addition to co-founder, she held several other chapter offices over the years. Hilda was recently honored by her beloved chapter on October 24, 2024, by becoming a Diamond Soror, with 75 years of dedicated service. 

     Hilda was a devoted member of Saint James United Methodist Church (SJUMC) in Darlington, SC where she sang BEAUTIFUL melodies with the Senior Choir as a featured soloist; she was also a soloist for many community events.  In addition, she served on and chaired several church committees: President-United Methodist Women, President-Pastor-Parish Relations, Chairperson-SJUMC Homecoming, Family and Friends Day, Older Adult organization, Mission and Outreach, Education Committee, and a dedicated member of the Adult Sunday School Class.  She loved her church dearly and would always respond affirmatively when asked to participate in any capacity. Elegant, confident and fashionable are words that eloquently describe Hilda’s sense of style. She was BEAUTIFUL on the inside and the outside. Cloaked in creativity, she would lovingly say, “once upon a time” as her imagination took her into artful spaces while making figurines or sewing and even crocheting. During her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, singing and solving crossword puzzles.

     A gloriously BEAUTIFUL celebration took place in Heaven on December 24, 2024, when God called Hilda home and she was reunited with the love of her life, Earl Johnson, Sr., her beloved son, Earl Jr, her parents, her sister, her brother and other family and friends that preceded her in death. 

She leaves to cherish her memories a loving and devoted daughter, Carole and son-in-law Chris Jones of Decatur, GA; Grandsons: Kristopher Jones of Atlanta, GA  and Keenan Jones of Decatur, GA; Sister-in-law: Rachilda (Rex) Grayson of Darlington, SC;  Special Son: Gerald (Valerie) Harrison of Florence, SC; Godsons: Nygel (Majoria) Pearson of Columbia, SC  and Nicholas (Keisha) Pearson of Blythewood, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Sorors, and friends who love her dearly.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Hilda G. Johnson in your thoughts and prayers. 

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