Viola Johnson Morrison

Mr. Jimmie and Mrs. Eleanor Jackson Johnson were the proud parents of three daughters, Lillian, Irene and Viola. All three daughters were born in Point-Coupee Parish, Tunica, Louisiana. Their paternal grandparents were Mr. Jimmie and Mrs. Julia Johnson, Sr.; maternal great-grandmother was Mrs. Eleanor Harris, with maternal grandparents being Mr. John and Mrs. Phoebe Jackson, Sr. Mrs. Viola Johnson Morrison’s favorite aunt was the late Mrs. Mildred Johnson Leslie. Viola Johnson Morrison’s family ancestry includes, Cherokee Native American and African-American, with descendants from Guinea. All of her early years were spent largely in Tunica, Louisiana and other locations in Point-Coupee Parish. Early benefits of good Christian living were instilled in Viola by her parents and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Julia Johnson, with whom Mrs. Morrison lived at the age of three years old. The benefits of Bible Study and prayer were stressed by Viola’s parents and grandmother, Mrs. Julia Johnson, in whose home, granddaughter, Viola participated in weekly Sunday Morning Prayer Meetings and attended Sunday School at St. John Baptist Church, The Reverend Elder Robert Combs, Minister. Strong mentoring was also given to Viola by the Reverend B.W. Holston, The Reverend Elder Robert Combs, Mr. Willie and Mrs. Analiza Riley and Auntie Mildred Johnson Leslie. At the age of five years old, Viola began her Elementary School Education with Mrs. Alice Higgins being the Head Teacher. Classes were held in Odd Fellows Hall and later in St. Johns Baptist Church. In September 1927, at the age of nine years old, Viola accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized in St. Johns Baptist Church by the Reverend Elder Robert Combs, Minister. Living an upright life, attending church and being a good student were expected; however, Viola’s parents and grandmother, Mrs. Julia Johnson, did allow their daughter to engage in “fun” activities with her playmates who included: Beatrice Fields, Libert Haynes, Anita Haynes and Frederina Gray. Among their “fun” games were making “Mud-Cakes”, “Hem-Stitch”, “Little Sally Walker Games” and wearing clothing which mimic attire of their parents and adults. The favorite meal of her family and playmates included mustard greens, corn bread, buttermilk and lemon layer cake. On February 16, 1935, Viola Johnson and the late Reverend Evans Morrison, Sr. were united in marriage by the late Reverend Elijah Morrison of Tunica, Louisiana. The Reverend Evans and Mrs. Viola Johnson Morrison, Sr. became proud parents of Mable R. Morrison and years later the proud parents of Cynthia A. Morrison and Evans Morrison, Jr. Viola received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Delgado Community College of New Orleans, Louisiana. Her quest for knowledge and being current continued throughout her life, even until a few weeks before her “home-going.” She was a highly respected and successful teacher in the Orleans Parish School System. Viola was a very talented musician. Her talents as a pianist and singer were always sought and used in Orleans Parish Schools and churches. Her “community activist” work in New Orleans helped the “People’s Choice” win public offices. Viola received in 1986, the Living Heritage Award from Holy Cross High School; in 1990, she was recipient of Certificate for participation in the Times Picayune Newspaper Education Workshop; and in 1998, Viola received the Laubach Literacy Action Volunteer Tutor Workshop Certificate. Viola’s professional accomplishments add to her families’ large number of military officers, evangelists, ministers, educators, medical doctors and musicians. Viola was a dedicated teacher of Bible studies. She taught Bible Study classes for six years at St. Jude’s Shrine. Much inspiration has been given to many young people through her biblical teachings and Sunday School Class teachings in various churches. She is recipient of AWANNA Excellence Award for memorizing biblical scriptures. Viola was a “role model” mother. She and the Rev. Evans Morrison reared their three children and grandchildren to be strong Christians and admonished them to study the Bible and obtain as much training and education as possible. Their two daughters, Mable and Cynthia are musicians and educators while their only son, Evans, Jr. is an Evangelist., counselor and musician. Viola’s love for the teachings of Christ continued to be fulfilled as she moved to Dover, Delaware in 2000 and later became an active member of First Baptist Church of Dover. In addition to being the proud mother of Mable, Evans, Jr. and Cynthia, she is the proud grandmother of Patrice Morrison, Desiree Morrison, Evans Morrison, III, Michael Evans Morrison, George McCray, Jr., Melissa Viola Elisha McCray, Candace McCray and great-great grandmother of Juan, Jeda, Hassan, James and Leonard. Viola’s surviving paternal cousins are Jimmie Leslie and Allen Leslie. Our Mother, Viola, loved life and was a great source of inspiration to all whose paths she crossed. She lived faithfully by the Bible and one of her many favorite biblical scriptures is Proverbs 3:1-2, “Let thine heart keep my commandments for length of days and long life and peace, shall they add to thee.”

Viola Johnson Morrison

September 6, 1918 - December 2, 2012