Florence Elizabeth (Ward) Johnson

On November 1, 2024, Florence Elizabeth (Ward) Johnson passed away peacefully at age 92 during a brief time at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton due to a chronic illness. Florence was the mother of five children, two living April (Vanesta) Purnell and Emmett (Rikk) Nixon. However, many people called her mom and grandmom.

She was born March 2, 1932, in Marion Station, MD in Somerset County, the daughter of the late Marcus E Ward and Fannie J (Davis) Price. She was a resident of Crisfield and Hopewell in Somerset, Maryland, until the mid-1940s.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, George Johnson; one daughter, Crystal Starr Lockley; brothers Erton Price, Sr. and Samuel R Fisher, Sr.; four sisters, Jean Virgie Fletcher, Phyllis Green, Lonia Yvonne McKissic, and Iris Moore; two great-grandchildren, Jaden Isaiah Smith, and Christa Purnell-Fisher.

She obtained her early education in Hopewell, Somerset County, Maryland area. Around 1948 at the age of 16, she attended Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She eventually moved to Washington D.C./ Prince George’s County in Maryland where she worked for the Department of Agriculture and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as a secretary/administrative assistant. While there she enrolled in a school for executive assistant accreditation to advance her career. She was a long-time resident of Prince George’s County but due to her chronic illness she relocated to Talbot County to be closer to family and dear friends.

Florence/Grandmom/Mom-mom lived and enjoyed life. She was endearing, charming, enjoyed music, living in peaceful places, selfless, loving, and caring.

Florence is survived by her daughter, April Purnell (Thomas) of New Castle, Delaware, her son, Emmett (Rikk) Nixon (Lucretia) of Denton, Maryland, nine grandchildren, Chandrea (Candi) Grimes of Newark, Delaware, Mandel (Poochie) Taylor of Maryland, Jermaine (Terry) Lockley of Maryland, Tamara (Tami) Stewart of Bear, Delaware, Ambia (Am) Nixon of Capitol Heights, Maryland, Taj Shepherd (Keisha) of Maryland, Tasha Oliver (Kevin) of Newark, Delaware, Brianni (Binky) Nixon of Maryland and Terica (Teri) Jones (Devan) of Bear, Delaware; twenty-eight great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. Special thanks to beloved nieces DollieJean Reed, Pamela (Pam) Price and Marchelle (Marty) Ryans, Cousin Marlene Pollard and Nephew Armstead Fisher and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends who held a special place in her heart.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Florence Elizabeth (Ward) Johnson, please visit our floral store.