Willie Davis Johnson

Mrs. Willie D. Johnson, age 89, of Durham, NC passed away at Croasdaile Village on June 17, 2020. Willie was born to the late Charles R. Davis and Beulah Jackson Davis. She was predeceased by her sisters, Dorothy Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Joyce Davis Falk, Norma Davis King, and her brother, Kenneth Davis. Willie was raised in Durham and attended Durham City Schools.

After graduating from Durham High School, she attended High Point College and graduated with a degree in music. While attending High Point College, Willie met Harvey B. Johnson. They were married February 13, 1954 at Carr Methodist Church in Durham.

After her husband’s ordination as a Methodist Minister, Willie served along side Harvey in the Eastern NC Conference of the United Methodist Church. Together they served churches in Siler City, Apex, Raleigh, and Durham. Willie also taught music and English in Chatham County, Wake County and Durham County Public Schools.

In 1972 Harvey and Willie moved to Winston-Salem, NC where Harvey served as the Executive Director of the Moravian Home (Salemtowne), and Willie worked in a variety of jobs at the retirement community. While living in Winston-Salem, Willie was very involved as a member of Home Moravian Church, where she sang in the choir and served in leadership and volunteered with the Candle Tea.

Harvey and Willie moved to Birmingham, AL to serve at Kirkwood by the River retirement community. Willie worked as the Director of Activities and enjoyed planning special events for the community. After Harvey’s death and upon retirement, Willie returned to Durham where she lived at the Methodist Retirement Home on Erwin Road. When UMRH moved over to Croasdaile Village, Willie moved into a Homestead apartment.

At Croasdaile Village Willie served two terms as president of the Croasdaile Village Residents Council and sang in the Croasdaile Chorale. She served two terms as President of the North Carolina Continuing Care Retirement Communities and as chaplain of the Durham Civitan. Willie was very involved in Glendale Heights United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and served in leadership.

Willie was a dedicated Duke fan and attended football and men’s basketball games for over 40 years. She was always there with her fingers crossed, dressed in her royal blue, and excited to cheer the team on.

Willie was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Harvey B. Johnson. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Johnson Rast; son in law, John C. Rast; three granddaughters, Kaitlyn Rast, Ashley Rast and Rebekah Rast; all of Ashburn, VA. She is also survived by niece, Jennifer King of Mebane; nephews, Scot King (Vickie) of Durham, Chip Falk (Tami) of Tampa, FL and Lee Falk (June) of Spartanburg, SC.

A burial service will be held at God’s Acre (Old Salem) in Winston-Salem, NC on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:00 am. A private memorial service will be held at Croasdaile Village.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Croasdaile Village Benevolence Fund or to the Religious Life Committee in care of Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC 27705.