I am sure we have all heard the old saying or heard the gospel song, “May the work I have done speak for me.” This could not fit anyone better than Elizabeth Bernice Barker Johnson. Last week, we began a look at the life of Mrs. Johnson, a WWII veteran; schoolteacher; school bus driver; wife; and mother in Patrick County. This week, the story has pretty much written itself from all the love and memories shared from former students at Patrick Central School.
When we left our story last week, Mrs. Johnson had just begun her teaching career at Red Hollow School in Spencer, Virginia. She was boarding with the Frank Martin family and was teaching children from the Johnson, Martin, Edward, Reid, Penn, Scales, Shelton, Via, and Hairston families.
On the 31st of May 1952, Elizabeth Bernice Barker married sawmiller and truck driver James Henry Johnson; she was twenty-six years old, and he was twenty-three. The Martinsville Bulletin recorded the event, “A program of wedding music preceded the wedding of Miss Elizabeth Bernice Barker and James Henry Johnson, at the home of Reverend and Mrs. R. T. Anderson, Fayette Street, Saturday afternoon. Miss Barker is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Jesse Barker of Winston-Salem, NC. She wore a blue lace gown with matching accessories. Miss Barker is a graduate of the State Teachers’ College and teaches at the school in Stuart. Mr. Johnson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Johnson of Spencer. Given in marriage by Mrs. Mary Lee Warrington, the bride carried a white Bible. Her bouquet was of carnations. Her maid of honor was Miss Mamie Johnson. Wallace Johnson served as Mr. Johnson’s best man. A reception followed the ring ceremony at the home of Mrs. Pearl Johnson of Spencer.”
I had the great pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Lillian Penn Manns, who is a retired schoolteacher herself, about her time as a student under Mrs. Johnson. Mrs. Manns grew up in Spencer and had to ride eighteen miles past several schools to attend the segregated Patrick Central School off Route 8 near the North Carolina line.
The following are memories that Mrs. Manns shared with me, “Mrs. Johnson was my fourth-grade teacher when I was at Patrick Central School. She was very nice and so concerned about her students. One of the things that impressed me the most about Mrs. Johnson was the time she spent in the military and that she was the bus driver for the children that lived in Spencer. I remember in 1960, when I was in the 7th or 8th grade, it was snowing really bad. Mrs. Johnson was trying to get us home down that steep hill near Cooper’s Mill. Mrs. Johnson could handle that big bus with that long shifter sticking up out of the middle of the floor. (We figured she probably learned to drive those big mail trucks in the military.) The school bus was sliding down the hill and Mrs. Johnson was so scared for her students. Mr. Bill Reynolds, a fellow bus driver from Patrick Central School, came back to help her get the bus up the hill. Mrs. Johnson was such a devoted person to her students, whether they were in her classroom or on her school bus. She wanted all of us to do well and to follow the rules and regulations.”
Linda Redmond shared the following story on the Patrick Central School Facebook page, “Mrs. Elizabeth Bernice Barker Johnson was my fourth-grade teacher. I never knew about her military service, but as I reflect back on my experiences in her classroom, I can remember how disciplined and strict she was. I can also remember her as one of the school bus drivers, for either the Critz or Spencer area. My classroom was a combined 4th and 5th grade classroom, and I remember being cocky and always ready to compete with the 5th graders. Mrs. Johnson did not chide me for my cockiness, but I do remember when I was gloating about my 100 % paper, Mrs. Johnson found a minor reason to give me less than 100%. Her quiet unspoken demeanor taught me then that humility produces better character than cockiness.”
Many former students of Mrs. Johnson shared their memories on the Patrick Central School Facebook page started by Mary Frances Sawyers Davis…Elaine Thomas, “Mrs. Johnson taught both me and my husband Charlie in 7th grade. I remember her as a very disciplined teacher. We never heard her mention her military service.” Gwendolyn Robinson, “Mrs. Johnson was one of my favorite teachers.” Larry Tatum, “I felt so proud because she was my seventh-grade teacher. Even to this day, her teaching is still impacting my life.” Vera Smith Reynolds, “I remember her teaching me in the third grade on my return from Chicago.” Daisy Roberts-Hatcher, “She was a great teacher and my seventh-grade teacher. I was very proud to have been her student. I wish she had shared some of her experiences while she served in the military overseas.”
Rhonda Brown, “I am writing this for my father, Gary Hill. Mrs. Johnson was his seventh-grade teacher. He remembers her as his favorite teacher who inspired him tremendously. She was a great teacher and treated everyone the same.” Angela Tatum-Morning shared that Mrs. Johnson was her father’s seventh-grade teacher. Carolyn Anderson stated that Mrs. Johnson was also her seventh-grade teacher. Wavie Payne stated that Mrs. Johnson was her teacher at Patrick Central School. Melvin Clark said that Mrs. Johnson was his fourth-grade teacher. Dianne Redd, “I loved her. I have very special memories of her.” Rayford Loggins, and Deloris Smith shared that Mrs. Johnson was their fourth-grade teacher.
After Patrick Central School was closed and consolidated into other Patrick County schools, Mrs. Johnson taught for the Statesville City, Elkin City, and Surry County, North Carolina school systems. Mrs. Johnson also volunteered for the Catawba County school system for fifteen years.
Regina Watkins-Brim shared the following memories of Mrs. Johnson, “I, too, attended Patrick Central School in Patrick County, Virginia from the first to the third grade. I am related to several of Mrs. Johnson’s former students and attended/graduated WSSU as well as worked in Enrollment Management at Winston-Salem State University (formerly Winston-Salem Teachers College). By being blessed to be assigned as a WSSU Staff Commencement Volunteer, I met ninety-nine-year-old Mrs. Elizabeth Barker Johnson at the 2019 WSSU commencement where she was honored with walking across the stage to “turn her tassel.” She couldn’t attend her actual commencement from then Winston-Salem Teacher’s College because she wasn’t able to find anyone to cover her classes at Patrick Central School. She was dedicated to her job as a teacher and leaves a legacy of service for us all to celebrate.”
Mrs. Johnson’s graduation story was featured on the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt in 2019. One year later, Mrs. Johnson passed away at the age of 100 on the 23rd of August 2020; she was survived by a son and a daughter, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren. What a remarkable legacy Elizabeth Barker Johnson has left for her family, former students, and anyone who hears her story! A very special thank you to Mrs. Lillian Penn Manns, Mr. Bernard Johnson, Regina Watkins Brim, Mary Frances Sawyers Davis, and all those who shared their memories of Mrs. Johnson on the Patrick Central School Facebook page. Woody may be reached at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or 276-692-9626.
