Phyllis Mercedes Johnson

Johnson, Phyllis Mercedes, of St. Charles, Missouri, died on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at the age of 93. Loving wife of the late James P. Johnson; beloved daughter of the late Charles Wesley and Loraina Sydnor; treasured nana of Patricia M. (Alan) Closson; cherished great-grandmother of Jaden Patrick Closson and Camdyn Alexa Closson; dear mother-in-law of Calvin Payne; beloved sister of Flora Y. Woodson, and Elsa Maxine Reid; dear sister-in-law of Pansy Sydnor, Nadine Sydnor, Nona Clayborn, and Marian June (Robert) Gillette. She is preceded in death by her daughter Beverly E. Johnson-Payne and infant daughter Patricia L. Johnson. Born in Hutchinson, Kansas and reared in Troy, Missouri, Phyllis earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Lincoln University in 1941. She later obtained a Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling from Washington University in 1965. Phyllis taught Family and Consumer Science in New Madrid and Saint Charles, Missouri, rounding out her career in education at Franklin High School. In 1951, Phyllis became employed with the Missouri Division of Employment Security and served in the following capacities: interviewer, counselor, counselor supervisor, and Equal Employment Opportunity officer, retiring as the first African American district manager. Phyllis was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she served as church clerk, treasurer, choir member, WMU member, and Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Because Phyllis believed strongly in giving of her time to help others, she volunteered at St. Joseph Health Center for 20 years, at countless blood drives with the American Red Cross, and tutored many children in the City of St. Charles School District through the Oasis Program. As a result of her civic and humanitarian efforts, she has been recognized by the Saint Charles County Historical Society, Saint Charles Chamber of Commerce, and Commerce Bank. Phyllis was an amazing woman whose light, laughter, and love will be forever missed by all fortunate enough to have known her. Following the interment, friends are invited to fellowship with the family at a repast which will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Lincoln University Scholarship Foundation or Parkinson's Disease Foundation.