Edith Sweeney Johnson

Edith S. Johnson, 79 of Chester, Virginia, passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 24, 2024. Edith, better known as Edie, was born one of eight children in Natural Bridge Station, Virginia, to the late Cecil and Edith Sweeney. In addition to her parents; she is preceded in death by her sister, Ruth Longbrake; and her brothers-in-law, Melvin Austin, B.T. Thompson, and Ed Longbrake.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jack Johnson; her sisters, Virginia Austin, Mildred Thompson, and Susan McCall (Rich); her brothers, Cecil Sweeney (Joli), Bill Sweeney (Shelia), and John Sweeney (Mary Kay); her children, Sandra Steelman (William) and Joseph Johnson (Rebecca); her grandchildren, Hannah Shephard (Zack), Holly Steelman, Samuel Steelman, and Jeremy Steelman. She is also survived by Wren Edith Shephard, her first great-grandchild, on the way; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
Edie spent her life giving of her time and energy to everyone around her. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and patient grandmother. She worked full-time as a teacher, but still made time to lead her daughter's Girl Scout troop and help out with her son's Cub Scouts. She stayed up late nights helping with homework and sewing clothes for her family. She even took on a part-time job at Rosa's pizza to help pay for her children to go to college.
As an educator for over 35 years, she loved to learn and inspired her students to love learning. Most of her years were at Westview Elementary, in Petersburg, but she also taught in Roanoke, and at Hopkins Road Elementary, in Chesterfield County, just before she retired. Her students adored her, and she kept up with them even after they left her class. After retiring from teaching, she continued to share her love of learning at Shirley Plantation, where she used her talent for storytelling as a docent, leading tours of the house. She also made time for fun, going on outings with her Red Hat Ladies and her teacher friends, the "geezerettes", every month. Edie also loved getting together with her brothers and sisters for birthday vacations.
Edie was a faithful servant of God. She was a member of Enon Baptist Church for 38 years. She taught a children's Sunday School class for several years, later taught the young married Sunday School class, and finally co-taught the older ladies Sunday School class at the church. She also led a ladies Bible study and sang in the choir for many years.
The last several years she devoted a lot of time to her grandchildren. Taking them on adventures, playing hours of Uno, Monopoly, and Sorry, and watching their football, cheerleading, dance, baseball, and soccer games brought her so much joy. She was also able to spend a lot of time with her husband, Jack. Whether they were watching Survivor on the television or just sitting together watching the birds at the window, they cherished the time they spent together. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all those who knew her.
The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Enon Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Bermuda Memorial Park.