Eunice Johnson was born Eunice Katherine Walker on May 18, 1924 to the late Bishop Nathaniel Zion Walker and Lady Mae Walker in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Sylvester Senior and eldest son, Sylvester Junior. 

Eunice was the fourth of five children born into the Walker union. She had one sister, Sadie Lea Gatson who perished in 1996. She also had two broters; John and Joseph Walker, who both perished in the early 2000’s. 

Eunice was christened and baptized at her father’s church, Walker Temple AME Zion Church in the town of Tuskegee. She was very active in the youth and adult choirs, outreach ministry, junior usher board, church history committee, Sunday school teachings and various other activities. She remained faithful to her “home church” until the closing of its doors in 1996. 

Eunice was a bright student in the Macon County Public School System. She attended Tuskegee Public Elementary School during her formative years then went on to study at Saint Joseph Catholic School along with her siblings. She was very active in the glee club, debate club, honors society and student government association. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in June of 1941. 

Eunice attended Talladega College to study sociology. While there, she was highly active in student affairs and campus activities. She was apart of the debate team, college choir, student government, dance club, Crimson cheerleading squad, the Greek council, foreign language club and her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incororpated - Chi Chapter. She graduated with honors from Talladega College in the Spring of 1945.

Eunice was destined for greatness so she moved to Virginia to obtain her Masters degree in sociology from Hampton University. She was also a very active student there as well. She served on various committees and ultimately became very well respected on campus. Her desires to help others accomplish their goals was “number one” in her life. She obtained her Masters in the Summer of 1948. 

While attending a social function in Norfolk, Virginia with friends, she met a bashful yet charming young man by the name of Sylvester Johnson in 1947. They began to court and became the best of friends while both pursing their graduate degrees. While Sylvester wanted to marry right away, Eunice wanted to ensure that her future was secure by completing her graduate degree. 

On June 21, 1949, Eunice became the loving wife of Sylvester Johnson at Hampton Baptist Church. Over 150 guests were in attendance on that glorious summer day. Her father, Bishop Walker, officiated the ceremony. The happy couple would make their home in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia for the next 64 years. 

Eunice loved being a devoted wife and loving mother to their four children. From helping with homework to preparing fulfilling Sunday suppers, she was the epitome of motherhood. She was an avid reader, teacher, mentor and friend to many in her personal and professional lives. 

In the mid-1950’s, the family became parishioners of the First African Baptist Church in downtown Richmond. The Church was a beacon of hope and salvation for the Johnson family for over 50 years. Eunice made sure that her children were apart of the many happenings at church. From Sunday morning worship to vacation bible school, the Johnson family served their church faithfully. She sang in the choir and played the piano quite often during various occasions. During her tenure at First African, she worshiped under the late, Reverend Solomon Morgan.

After the births of her children, Eunice took on the workforce by storm as a professional woman. During those lean years, it was unheard of for a Black woman to have a paycheck while also taking care of home and family. She went against all odds to show other women that there were ways to improve the quality of life. 

Eunice became a government employee as a case manager for the Richmond Department of Human Services from 1954 until 1961. She served very well to the dire communities within Richmond and made sure that her work for her people wasn’t in vain. After leaving the human services department, she went on to join the Veterans Administration Department of Social Services as a Benefits Programs Consultant. She remained in her position as a consultant from 1961 until 1973. She was promoted to Liscensing Administrator then became Executive Administrator Professional in 1977 to which she held her esteemed position until her formal retirement in 1994.

Eunice dedicated her professional career to local and state policy for over 40 years. She made sure that everyone received a fair and honest chance in society. Many citizens of Richmond have shared their personal testimonies of being assisted by Eunice. So many wonderful and fond memories are still celebrated to this day. 

In her leisure time, Eunice loved to spend time with family, friends, neighbors and church members. She belonged to her neighborhood bridge club and was a fantastic tennis player during the summer months spent in Newport News, Virginia. Reading, painting, dancing, shopping and playing the piano were just some of her favorite activities to indulge in during her leisure time. Whenever her children visited home from college, she loved to entertain and make her infamous “sweet potato” casserole. When it came to fun, she loved attending jazz festivals, botanical gardens, the farmers market, boxing matches, fashion shows, museums, poetry readings and the likes. There was never a dull moment with Eunice. 

She really enjoyed shopping and traveling with her friends as well. Some of her favorite destinations were New York City, Chicago, Phoenix, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Birmingham, Memphis, Paris, London, Monaco, Rome, Liberia, Ethiopia, Switzerland and many more. She would always buy nice pieces from Louis Vuitton, Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field, Montgomery Ward, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Saks Fifth, Bealls, Chanel and many others. She would always bring many of her findings home to her children and friends. She was also an avid art and book collector. 

Throughout her fabulous life, she definitely left a committed life behind so that her children and grandchildren could continue her legacy for generations to come. 

Eunice leaves behind three living children; youngest son, Sidney (Terri) Johnson; daughters, Evelyn (Gregory) Davis & Elaine (Raymond) Maxwell; granddaughters, Stephanie (Paul) Herndon, Jamie Johnson and Katelyn Marie Maxwell; grandsons, Sylvester (Corinne) Johnson III, Gregory Davis Junior, Raymond Maxwell Junior, Sidney Johnson II, Kameron Johnson and Mason Sylvester Johnson; devoted nieces,  Janice (Robert) Reeves, Sarah (Leonard) Sanders & Georgia (Tommy) Walters of Birmingham, Alabama; devoted nephews, Thomas (Minnie) Walker of Charleston, South Carolina & Laurence (Bessie) Walker of Cincinnati, Ohio; devoted cousins, Marjorie Jones, Fannie Lee Simpson, Augusta Carey, Sadie Mae Whitfield, Vesta Williams, Karen Lowe, Charles Summers, Eddie Walker, Joe Clyde Walker, Nathaniel Walker, Jimmy Lee Wiley & Alfred Daniel Walker; devoted church members, The Jones family, The Payne familt, The King family, The Walters family, The Scott family & The Daniels family, all of Hampton and Richmond, Virginia; caring neighbors, The Haynes family, The James family, The Cleveland family & The Cole family; loving and devoted best girlfriends, Eloise (Jimmy) Davis, Mattie (Albert) Reese, Virginia (Harvey) Smith, Velma (Danny) Price, Betty (Henry) Stevens, Mary (Robert) Lewis, Frances (Marvin) Drake, Inez (Louis) Andrews, Margaret (Sylvanus) Willis, Johnetta (Bernard) Patton & Della (Clarence) Jackson; devoted male friends, Leonard (Patricia) Conyers, James (Karen) Hawkins, John (Roselyn) Smith & Obadiah (Bernice) Scott of Tuskegee, Alabama; special companion, Dr. Charles Robert Wynn of Glen Allen, Virginia;loving sisters-in-law, Luella Walker of Montgomery, Alabama & Doctor Vivian Walker of Fayetteville, Georgia; loving brother-in-law, Pastor Floyd Gatson of Glenn Dale, Maryland; numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives; loyal professional colleagues, Kathy Hope, Sharon Watkins, Ellen Pride, Louise Stanton, Elizabeth Benton, Benjamin Smith, Richard Shelton, Paul Jefferson, Joe Simon & Walter Yates; also preceded in death by brothers, John Thomas Walker of Montgomery, Alabama & Paul Laurence Walker of Fayetteville, Georgia; a host of other friends and colleagues.  

A very special “thank you” to her home health nurse, Nurse Patricia Houston of Richmond. 

Thanks to the staff of Talladega College & Hampton University. 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Richmond Dept. of Human Services

Veterans Administration 

Hampton Baptist Church 

First African Baptist Church

Liberty Live Church of Hampton

Affinity Funeral Services

Peninsula Park Cemetery