Priscilla R. Johnson

PRISCILLA REBECCA JOHNSON, was born on April 7, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. She grew up in West Baltimore and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School. She married William T. Johnson in 1964 and became a homemaker.

Having lost her mother at an early age, Priscilla understood the need for children to have a supportive and nurturing environment in which to live and grow. Although widowed at a young age, she sought to help others by becoming a licensed foster parent. Priscilla leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love and unwavering support for more than forty foster children who she parented until they could return to their family of origin or aged out of the system. She was that beacon of hope and stability in their lives for more than fifty years. Mother Priscilla wasn't just a foster mother, she was a safe harbor offering warm meals, spiritual guidance and a steady presence during crucial times. She also adopted four of the children.

Priscilla was known throughout East Baltimore. She volunteered at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary School until being hired as a student advocate. She spent many days at Northeast Market, going end-to-end, fellowshipping and encouraging people. She had uplifting words for all. No one was a stranger!

Priscilla Johnson began her journey with the Bea Gaddy Family Center in the early 1980's when the organization was still in its formative years. As one of the original volunteers. Priscilla played a pivotal role in shaping the center's mission of serving Baltimore's most vulnerable communities. Through decades of  service, Priscilla helped transform the Bea Gaddy Family Center from a grassroots effort into a cornerstone of community care in Baltimore. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the example she set for future volunteers.

Priscilla started her spiritual journey at Mt. Olive Free Will Baptist Church, then located in West Baltimore, under the pastorage of Bishop Leo K. Caesar. She later moved her membership to New Refuge Deliverance Cathedral, under the pastorage of Archbishop Naomi Durant, where she served as nurse to the church choir. Later, she began listening to the radio broadcast of First Apostolic Faith Church and heard the preaching of Bishop Winfield A. Showell and decided to join this ministry.

At each ministry of which she was a member, Priscilla operated in the gift of helps. Without a title or auxiliary assignment, she followed the leading of the Lord to minister and comfort grieving families. Not only at her home church but at churches across the City and at numerous funeral homes. Priscilla not only used her soaring alto voice to provide songs of comfort, she could be seen providing water, tissues and candy to mourners. 

Priscilla also ensured that the pulpit of her home church was well stocked and that ministers and guest speakers were attended to and supported. She lovingly provided special attention to her current Pastor, Apostle Franklin Cornelius Showell and First Lady Augusta Showell.

Mother Priscilla had a love for children and for seniors. At First Apostolic, she served in the Children's Vacation Bible School, was a member of the Women's Choir and was an active member of the Super Senior Saints Fellowship. Whatever her hands found to do, she did it. She held no respect of person and helped everyone. When she saw folks working, she rolled up her sleeves, put on her cobbler apron and joined in with the team. She was a true servant.

Mother Priscilla is survived by her children; Jeanette (a.k.a. Jenny), James, Travis, Eugene and Michael (Marcia) of Red Oak, Texas, one granddaughter, Porsche of Norfolk Virginia and a host of foster children, friends and her First Apostolic Faith Church family.