Mrs. Thomasina Vivian McKnight Johnson, 79, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015, in Los Angeles, California after an extended period of declining health. Mrs. Johnson was born June 7, 1936 in Winston-Salem, NC to Hester Ridgill McKnight and Robert Lee McKnight. Thomasina, affectionately known as "Tom" by her family and friends, grew up in a large, loving close-knit family in the Boston section of Winston-Salem. She attended and graduated from Atkins High School in 1954. Upon completion of her high school studies, "Tom" furthered her academic pursuits by attending and graduating from Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University) with a degree in Elementary Education. At Winston-Salem Teachers College, "Tom" distinguished herself as an excellent student and graduated with honors in 1958. In addition to demonstrating exemplary academic skills at WSTC, "Tom" was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a proud member of the Ram Drum Majorettes.

Thomasina embarked upon her professional career as a teacher in Madison, NC. After teaching in Madison, NC for several years "Tom" returned to her home and began teaching at Carver Crest Elementary School. Eventually her teaching career took her to Kernersville Elementary School as one of the first teachers selected to integrate the Winston-Salem Forsyth County school system. She spent the majority of her career teaching fourth grade at Kernersville. After 34 years of distinguished service as an elementary educator, "Tom" retired in 1996.

Mrs. Johnson was preceded in her passing by her loving parents, Hester Ridgill McKnight and Robert Lee McKnight; her beloved husband of fifty-one years, Mr. Willis Johnson; brothers, Jerome L McKnight(Queen), Castine(Mary)McKnight, Robert McKnight, Jr., and Roland O. McKnight; her loving devoted older sister, Imogene McKnight Wyatt; and nephew, Jerome L. McKnight, Jr.

Thomasina is survived by her adoring daughter, Erika Johnson (William, Jr.) Brooks of Encino, CA; her loving son, Eric (Andrea) Johnson of Hoschton, GA; grandchildren, William E. Brooks III and Ila Grace Brooks of Encino, CA, and Kylie Marie Johnson and Kellen Willis Johnson of Hoschton, GA; devoted and loving younger sister, Millison (Spencer) McCurry of Chatsworth, CA; younger brother, William (Carolyn) McKnight of Van Nuys, CA; brother-in-law, Louis Wyatt of Winston-Salem, NC; nephews, Brian K. Wyatt and Derek M. Wyatt of Winston-Salem, NC, and William McKnight, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV; nieces, Deborah F. McKnight of Chatsworth, CA, Merilla (Wallace) Scott and Katrina R. McKnight of Northridge, CA; long-time friends, Ida (Ramsey) Cathey, Linda Boyd, Jeannette Lewis, Mary Warren, and Margaret Fulton; as well as a host of family and friends.

Thomasina, a long-time member of Saints Home United Methodist Church, will forever be remembered as a woman of faith, an affectionate daughter, a caring wife, a devoted and dedicated mother to her children, a doting grandmother to her four grandchildren, a loving sister, a special aunt and a good friend. From her childhood until her passing, Thomasina always exhibited tremendous fortitude, determination, perseverance, and an unrelenting will power that made her successful in all of her endeavors. Her feistiness, excellent organizational skills, stubbornness, and strong will were inextricably linked to the very core of her existence and made her a beloved figure in her family and the community. All of these qualities and attributes will resonate strongly with those who knew this special woman. Thomasina will be missed by her family, friends, and colleagues, and the memories of her will live on forever.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Saints Home United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 10:30am until 11:00am on Thursday at the Church.