Vivian Johnson

Gregg

Vivian Louise Johnson Gregg, age 88, was born September 2, 1927 in Prestwick, AL; the youngest child of the late Charlie Johnson, Sr., and the late Mildred Donald Johnson. She departed this life Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the family home in Leroy, Alabama.

She united in holy matrimony (on May 12, 1945) to the late Shed Gregg Sr. This union lasted 67 years from which two daughters were born.

She received her formal education at Prestwick High School, and in 1955 enrolled in Chicago School of Nursing where she pursued a nursing career that spanned 30 years. Mrs. Gregg was a civil rights advocate. In 1963, she began working at Arrington Nursing Home in Jackson, AL; (the first black female employee). She was employed at Chatom Hospital (1968-1972) and Jackson Hospital from1972 until her retirement in 1985. Because of her expertise with the newborns and the nursery, she became affectionately known by the hospital staff as "Mama Gregg".

She was also the first black employed at the C.A.M. Plant in Chatom, AL. In addition to nursing, her work history also includes serving as a part-time tax preparer and a Notary.

She became a member of Mt. Stoney (formerly Mt. Stoney A.M.E. Zion Church) at an early age. She moved her membership to Pleasant Ridge Baptist in Prestwick, Alabama in 1945, where she was a faithful member until her health failed, she worked diligently as a deaconess, pianist, member of the Sunday School Class, and former Treasure and Record Keeper. At the time of her death she was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of St. Stephens.

Mrs. Gregg, a self-taught musician, began playing the piano at an early age. She later took formal music lessons and began serving as the Minister of Music for Mt. Stoney A.M.E. Zion Church in Leroy from 1959 to 2005. Early in her music ministry, she served as musician for Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church on 1st and 3rd Sundays while continuing to play for Mt. Stoney on 2nd and 4th Sundays. Over the years, she also played for churches in Cortelyou and St. Stephens.

Vivian loved baking pies, cakes, crocheting and she was a very gifted seamstress. She was also an honorary member of Ladies of Elegant Distinction. (Non-profit community organization)

In addition to her beloved parents and husband, she was preceded in death by both brothers, John W. (Willie Jo, deceased) Johnson and James Charlie (Mary) Johnson, a grandson, Eddie Raspberry, a great-grandchild, Ayasia Alicia Savage, and a loving and devoted sister-in-law, Lillian "Lil" Johnson.

Left to cherish her memory, three daughters, Virginia Micki Savage and Kathy (Kenneth) Etheredge both of Leroy and The Reverend Cremonia Pittman of East St. Louis, Illinois, 10 grandchildren, four devoted, Carlos Savage, Gregg Savage, Kalla Etheredge and Connor Etheredge all of Leroy; Angela (Bede) Essien, Lawrence (Lorraine) Pitman, Janice Pittman, Ramona (Larry) Crockett, and Jeniece (Eddie) Andrews; 17 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Marilyn (Wayne) Williams of McIntosh; three devoted cousins, Laura Norwood of McIntosh, Bernice Williams of Prentiss, MS, Domenique (Alan) Hobel of California; devoted friends, Pastor William C. Jackson and the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Family of Prestwick, and Mr. & Mrs. Emanuel King, Sr. of Leroy, a host of nieces, one devoted, Lillian Grisby Smith, of Dayton, OH and nephews, two devoted nephews, Jackie Roy Johnson and Nathaniel Johnson, both of Leroy, AL, other relatives and friends.

Viewing Wednesday, June 8, 2016, 4-6pm at Andrews Funeral Home; viewing Thursday, June 9, 2016, 12 noon until the 1pm service at First Baptist Church St. Stephens, 19357 Co. Rd. 34, St. Stephens, AL 36569; Rev. John Smith, Eulogist. Following burial in the Johnson Family Plot at Pleasant Ridge Bapt. Church, Leroy, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church St. Stephens.