Fannie Ridgill Johnson December 3, 1939 to May 6, 2026

Fannie Mae Ridgill was born December 3, 1939 in Manning, South Carolina the daughter of the late Mr. Tom Ridgill and Mrs. Cleophas (Tindal) Ridgill.

Fannie attended and accepted Christ at Fourth Crossroads Baptist Church in Manning. While still a child it was recognized that she wanted to work in teaching. She attended and graduated from Manning Training School in 1958.

Fannie was accepted into South Carolina State College where she majored in Library Science. While at the University she actively demonstrated in the push for Civil Rights in America. She worked with fellow student James Clyburn (later US Representative) seeking to improve conditions for African Americans in the US.

After graduating from South Carolina State, she met 1LT William M Johnson of Adams Run, SC and later was married to William on July 13, 1963. The beautiful ceremony was held on the grounds of the Tom and Cleophas Ridgill Homestead in Manning. To this Union, they were blessed with two children William Jr and Erika.

Ever the devoted Army Spouse, Fannie moved across the world and multiple locations across the US including Nuremburg, West Germany, (where son William Jr was born), Ft Eustis, Virginia (where daughter Erika was born), Adams Run, SC (while William Johnson toured Vietnam), Ft McClellan, Alabama, Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland, Fort Meade, Maryland, ROTC Lincoln University at Jefferson City, Missouri, Academy of Health Sciences, San Antonio, Texas, and finally Newport News, Virginia from 1982 until her passing.

During these years, Fannie pursued her dream of serving in Education as a Teacher and Substitute Teacher on various Army bases and varied grade levels. In 1978 she became a Librarian at Lincoln University in Missouri where she earned her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. It was during the working years at Lincoln she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Fannie worked in the Newport News Public School System from 1982 until her retirement in May, 2009. She taught in all grade levels from Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School and finally became the Head Librarian at Heritage High School in Newport News. Her title changed to Media Specialist Director as the skills of Librarian entered the information technology age and her role expanded into multimedia management and Distance Learning. She was an active member of the Virginia Teachers Education Association.

Fannie attended Ft Eustis Regimental Memorial Chapel and visited often with Canaan Baptist Church and other Church Communities in the Tidewater area. She was an active and enthusiastic member of the Tidewater Peninsula South Carolina State University Alumni Chapter for many years. A lifelong avid reader, she served as member and subject Leader with the “Book Divas” Tidewater area book club.

On Wednesday evening, May 6, 2026, Fannie passed away peacefully at home with her husband and daughter by her side.

She was known and loved throughout the Hamptons Roads area seeing thousands of young men and women grow and graduate from her beloved Public School system. Fannie loved people. She looked forward to meeting people and willingly assisted them in library research in any way she could. Outside of school, she helped people with real world problems regardless of their status in life. She was admired for creating and maintaining a healthy and happy environment regardless of the situation she found herself. She will be missed for her kindness, compassion and keen sense of humor which she demonstrated to all who knew her.

Fannie Johnson was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who demonstrated Faith in God, Love, Compassion, Patience, Joy and Laughter. Those parts of her life’s Sermon have been preached. Her Soul now rests in the Arms of the Lord.

Fannie was preceded in death by seven brothers, Nelson Ridgill, Robert Ridgill, Thomas Ridgill Jr, LonEarl Ridgill, Oliver Ridgill, Charles Ridgill, and Albertus Ridgill and three sisters Earlene Ridgill, Verdia Ridgill Tindal, and MaeBelle Ridgill Eccles.

She leaves to cherish her memory, husband Dr. (LTC Retired) William M Johnson, a son William M Johnson, Jr., a daughter Erika R Johnson, two Sisters-in-Law, Carmen Jackson and Bernice Judge, Brother-in-law Edward Jackson and four grandchildren, Jana Johnson, William Johnson III, Mikaela Johnson and Khloe Johnson all of Houston, Texas and a Host of special Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

New International Version

Viewing will be starting 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. 23607. The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Final services and burial will be handled by Murray's Mortuary, Hollywood, South Carolina.