| In Memory of Marjorie Johnson Ward August 20, 1927 – February 6, 2010: Marjorie Alverta Johnson was born August 20, 1927 to Reverend Julius P. Johnson and Mrs. Marjorie Alverta Harris Johnson in Rome, Georgia. Her mother died when she was 6 years old and her father later married Nonie Springs Johnson when Marjorie was 9 years old. She was raised in Salisbury, North Carolina. On June 6, 1948, she married Reverend Dr. Edgar William Ward, a Presbyterian minister in a double wedding with her sister, Luella. To their union, a daughter, Lucia was born May 5, 1951. Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband. On Saturday, February 6, 2010 she died peacefully in Greensboro, North Carolina. Marjorie always thought that education was extremely important. During her school years in Salisbury, North Carolina, Marjorie’s lifelong interests were born. She ran track, was in the drama club, served on the debate team, was in the speech choir and sang second soprano in the choir. Always an avid reader, Marjorie’s love for reading was realized in her position as junior librarian at her school. Marjorie graduated as Valedictorian from Price High School and later graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. degree in Religious Education and English/Social Studies from Barber Scotia College in 1948. She later went on to receive an M.A. Degree in Urban Education and Community Affairs from William Patterson College of New Jersey in August 1976 when she was 49 years old. Marjorie‘s commitment to the Presbyterian Church was deeply rooted. Her grandfather, father, husband, and father-in-law were all Presbyterian ministers. Though her work background included jobs in community organization, social work, Christian education, public education and the government, her lifelong commitment was to the Presbyterian Church. After she retired from the school system in New Jersey, she started a second career with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). One of her special areas of service was as Manager of the General Assembly Committee on Representation. She provided creative leadership and resourcing for Synod and Presbytery Committees on Representation to monitor the inclusion of racial ethnic persons on staff and committees. She also served on the Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development of People - - a national program of the General Assembly which promotes projects that result in long-term change in people’s lives and their communities. After retiring from the General Assembly Office she served as convener for the 2007 National Black Presbyterian Caucus Circle of Elders, organized the collection of Black Presbyterian church histories and artifacts for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Black Presbyterian Churches in the USA and served on the Board of Governors for the Presbyterian Homes, Inc. and on the Board of Trustees of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. Marjorie was an active member and Elder at Saint James Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina where she was a member of the Grace Brown Circle, the Evangelism Team, the Inspirational Ensemble, and the Radical for Christ Sunday School Class; and was the self-appointed manager of the New Generation Praise Team. Her work in the church included her tireless commitment to encourage diversity and inclusion in leadership roles throughout the life of the local, regional and national church. Marjorie, also known as Mother Ward, believed in living a life that was inspired by God, full of dignity, grace, joy, service and love. She enjoyed people of all ages and every walk of life. To her, connecting with people brought much pleasure and happiness. Her unique ability to motivate, encourage and support others served as a source of inspiration for everyone who came in contact with her. She was quick to give money, time, attention, a ride, or advice to anyone in need; showing Christ’s love through action was in her DNA. Carrying on her legacy of love and faith are her loving and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Lucia Ward Alexander and Mr. Melvin T. Alexander II, grandson Melvin Taylor Alexander III; sister Mrs. Luella Graves (Mr. Robert Graves); brother-in-law Mr. Charles Ward (Peggy Ward); sister-in-law Ms. Sallye Bulger; step-granddaughters and partners Ms. Sabina Alexander (Mr. George Simmons) and Ms. Asia Glover (Rev. Roosevelt Glover); nieces/nephews and spouses Dr. Deborah Graves McFarlane (Dr. Claude McFarlane), Mrs. Cheryl Mah (Mr. Paul Mah), Mr. Michael Ward, Ms. Ynez Geiger, Mr. James Jackson Jr., Ms. Linda Jamison (Mr. Stephen Jamison), Mr. Willard Bulger (Mrs. Adriana Bulger), and Ms. Diane Baugh (Rev. Charles Baugh); great-grandchildren Ridge, Grant, Amirah, David, and F. Rasul; a host of great nieces and nephews; and numerous lovingly adopted family members and friends. Family hour will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday January 13, 2010, followed by a celebration of Life at 2 p.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church, 820 Ross Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. Services will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations in memory of Marjorie Johnson Ward to Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., SW, Atlanta, GA 30314 or to the Touching Lives Foundation, c/o St. James Presbyterian Church, 820 Ross Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27406. |
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