Dr. Charlene Elizabeth Johnson

Dr.Charlene Elizabeth Johnson was born on June 7, 1933 in Aurora, Ill. She was preceded in death by her parents, MarionPriscilla Smith and Floyd E. Clark and her sister Marilyn Priscilla Vaughn. She was a beloved mother, grandmother,great-grandmother, cousin, colleague and friend. After sharing some preciousmoments and goodbyes with members of her immediate family, she passed away,very peacefully, in the early morning hours of Friday, April 28, 2017 atIndiana University Hospital (downtown Indianapolis).

Charlenespent her childhood and life through high school (graduating with honors) inAurora, Illinois. After high school sheattended Northern Illinois State Teachers College. During this time, she met Bennett F.Johnson. They were married on July 25,1955 after which they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. From their union they had two sons, RoderickJulian and Marshall Floyd Johnson

Asfar as education was concerned, Charlene set a very high bar for her family tofollow; she earned a B.S. in Education from Butler University (1960) and wenton to earn two Masters degrees (MSE – ‘68 and EdS – ‘82) from Butler with anadditional 90+ hours of course work toward a third masters. In 1992 she earned her doctorate Ed.D. inLeadership – Early & Middle Childhood from Nova University.

Learningand then educating others so that they might also benefit as she had, is whatCharlene saw as her personal mission in life. She was an educator for almost 40 years. She taught in the IndianapolisPublic School System as a classroom teacher, a reading teacher and then as alanguage arts consultant. She went on tobecome the coordinator for an adult reading program at Flanner House. She became an adult education specialist withthe Even Start Family Literacy Program (1990-1999). After some 40 years of educating students,she retired in 1999. She was also a published author: Parent Primer(1979). After retirement shevolunteered as a trainer for reading tutors for the Indianapolis Public HousingAuthority and Partners in Education.

However,her true passion was for classical music. While she played the piano, herinstrument of choice was the viola. Shewas an instrumentalist with the Butler University Orchestra, the ChristianChurch String Ensemble, the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra and the L. E. NewsomeString Ensemble. This love of music is one that she shared happily with hersons Roderick (piano) and Marshall (guitar) and three of her grandchildren who areaccomplished string instrumentalists (Jared – violin, Adrienne – cello andAlexis – violin). She was a supporterand member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association – North Group.

Herfaith and church family were most important to her. She was a long time faithfulmember of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder. She looked forward to spending time with her DeltaSigma Theta sorority sisters at their regular meeting of the Delta Dears.

Survivorsinclude her sons Roderick (Keila) and Marshall Johnson; four grandchildren VirgilJohnson, Jared Johnson, Adrienne (Felix) Crutchfield and Alexis Johnson andeleven great grandchildren (Jasmine, Jalen, Daisia, Mercedes, Creshaun,Trevion, Derrion, Nivea, Laila, Victory and Destiny), ex-husband Bennett F.Johnson and very special care supporters Latoria (Tory) Holloway and ChavalaDavis, along with a host of extended family and friends.