Sandra Nadine Champion Johnson, 70, of North Chesterfield, departed this life August 30, 2023. She was the eldest child of James Edward and Barbara Lewis Champion. She was a true Mother’s Day Gift being born on Friday, May 8, 1953.

At the age of 7 she became the oldest child to Deacon Freddie and Barbara Lewis Brown. Sandra had a very happy childhood growing up with her siblings. Her favorite childhood activity was playing school and of course she was her siblings’ teacher. Mom would challenge us to a game of jack rocks in which she was an expert and taught this to her girls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Edward Champion, Barbara C. Brown, Freddie Brown and siblings, James Champion and Gloria C. Wright.

Sandra attended Richmond Public Schools and graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School, Class of 1971. She continued her education at VCU and Virginia Union. During her high school years, she met Earl, the love of her life, at church. They would date for years, part ways, and soon find their way back to each other. On August 16, 1975, a hot sticky day, she and Earl married. From this perfect union two children came along, Reginald Earl in 1981 and the Princess of Earl’s eye, Stephanie Nadine in 1984.

She worked for various companies but found her niche at Altria (Philip Morris U.S.A.). She retired in 2008 after serving them for 30 years as a Documentation Specialist. After retirement she continued to volunteer, offering her talents to Southside Regional Hospital, Richmond Community Hospital and Venture Richmond’s Folk Festival for over 15 years - always making sure artists were welcomed with real southern hospitality. She also served as President of the Richmond Chapter Las Amigas Incorporated.

Deaconess Johnson (Lady J) was a remarkable woman who served her church faithfully in many roles including, Church Clerk, Executive Committee, Mission Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Sunday School, Lott Cary Foreign Missions, Odetta Tabb Missionary Circle, F.A.B. Singers, Pastor’s Aide, Greeters, Culinary Arts and Chairman of the Deaconess Ministry, to name a few. She never met a stranger that she wasn’t willing to help. She served God’s people.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving and dedicated husband of 48 years, Deacon Earl J. Johnson; her children, Reginald Earl Johnson and Stephanie Nadine Johnson; her adoring grandchildren, Tyree, Daisean, Jadah, Christian, Londyn, Parker and Payton Johnson; great grandson Caiden; siblings, Barbara Champion, Cheryl C. Chandler (Herman), Lisa B. Horton, Sahir Champion, and Janyce C. Bordeaux; aunts, Isabelle C. Rogers and Lula Mae Brown; a host of nieces, nephews; brothers-in-law, William W. Johnson, Jr. (Wanda) and Andrew Wright, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Michelle Johnson and Ramona Champion; other relatives, and an abundance of friends.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday, September 7, 2023 followed by the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, September 8 at First African Baptist Church, 2700 Hanes Avenue. Dr. Rodney D. Waller officiating. Entombment Forest Lawn Cemetery.