Sandra Champion Johnson Obituary in Richmond at Scotts Funeral Home

Obituary For Sandra Champion Johnson

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.

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Sympathy Spray was sent for Sandra Champion Johnson - September 07, 2023

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Wilma Andrews sent Serene Lily Basket for Sandra Champion Johnson - August 31, 2023

Prayers from Deaconess Wilma Andrews and Theodore Andrews Jr

Bridgette Hammond planted 5 trees in memory of Sandra Champion Johnson . - September 20, 2023

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Helene Lovell planted 5 trees in memory of Sandra Champion Johnson . - September 05, 2023

In her years volunteering for the Richmond Folk Festival, Sandra greeted hundreds of artists, performers, and festival staffers. She made each and every one of us feel welcome and cared for. We will sorely miss her presence, leadership, and warmth at the Festival Desk. Our hearts go out to Earl, Cheryl, and the rest of Sandra's family tree. We hope this token of our gratitude will keep her legacy living on. With love, the National Council for the Traditional Arts

I volunteered with Sandra at Richmond Community Hospital where I found her to be a warm and welcoming presence, always smiling and a real pleasure to know and work with. I'm so sorry not to have been able to attend the funeral but want the family to know that you're in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May the Lord give you comfort and peace and the sure and certain knowledge that Sandra rests in God's loving arms. Prayers ascending, Rev. Deacon Karla Westfall Hunt

Earl and Family You have my sincere condolences and prayers. God will take care of you all during this difficult time and in your healing process. I am sure Sandra is at peace with God and will be your guardian angel. God Bless you today and always. Your Cousin, Sylvia J. Ellis

To the Earl Johnson and family I havwe known you and your beautiful wife my whole life and she always was kind and have a loving spirit. She would always greet you with a smile and always have positive things and encouragement to all those around her. My prayers out to you and your family as she is with god and always watching over you. Tonya Staton

Earl and family, we are sharing in your sorrow and keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers as you mourn and honor someone so loved by you and by so many. With love, sympathy, and caring thoughts, we are praying for you and the family as you celebrate your wife's homegoing. Dennis Winston and family

My condolences to the Champion and Johnson. Sandra and I attended elementary school together. I immediately reflected on sailor dresses we wore, sometimes unknowingly on the same day. May memories made over the years bring you comfort. Sondra B Lee

Sending condolences and prayers to Earl and Family. May God comfort you all during this time. Hold to the sweet memories that you have and know to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of Jesus. May Sandra RIP in the loving arms of Jesus.

To The Family of Mrs Sandra Johnson, Know that God got you all. I am so sorry for your loss. A kind and pleasant person. She will be truly missed. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead. I met Mrs Sandra at Richmond Community Hospital. She would come certain days out the week to volunteering ,She loved helping other's. When you saw Mrs Sandra you know that it was going to be a good day. Her smile says it all. God has another angel volunteering in heaven. Forever in our hearts. God bless you All. Joann Kidd and Family.

May God bless the family to be strong . Sending sincere condolences From Maria hohnsn Hicks and family

May God give you all comfort at this time during the passing of Mrs. Sandra. She will truly be missed.

To the Johnson and Champion Families, We're so sorry to hear about Sandra's passing. My childhood friend! I remember when my mom (Celestine Hill) and I would walk to her house to pick Sandra and her sisters and brother up to go to Sunday school. We had some great times on our journeys! Thank you Sandra and Earl for always remembering us through the years. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and especially during this time. May God always be with you all! Love Katrina H. and David Carter and Family

To Barbara Champion and family sorry to hear about your loss, she was a wonderful sis, 😢 keep praying from your other sis, friend Emma Thompson @Xavier Thompson Love you

To Barbara, Cheryl and family, our hearts grieve with you in the Homegoing of your dear sister Sandra. Be comforted in knowing that she is no longer suffering but is resting in the comfort of Jesus arms. Remember the good times until you meet again. Your Norcroft Family

To the Johnson Family. May God give you strength and comfort you. King and Sandra Johnson

PRECIOUS MEMORIES, HOW THEY LINGER! PRAYING GOD'S STRENGTH FOR THE FAMILY! -Rev. Dr. Carolyn Clark

Earl, We were saddened to hear about the loss of Sandra. Sending our condolences to you and your family, and will keep you all in prayer. May God bless you all.

To The Family,
Please Accept My Heartfelt Condolences. Truly the loss of a precious loved one is most difficult. Please find comfort in the promise our most loving Heavenly Father Jehovah God gives us in Revelation 21:4"And He will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more; neither will mourning; nor outcry; nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." Yes, We can look forward to a time soon to come when all suffering including death will be done away forever. For more encouraging information from the bible. Please visit jw.org and view the video "What is the Condition of the Dead?"