Roland Fenton Johnson

Roland Fenton Johnson entered into eternal peace on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, Maryland. He was born on May 10, 1935 in Sellman, Maryland to the late Elbert M. Johnson, Sr. and the late Annie Laura McKeamer Johnson. Roland was the youngest of nine children.

He was educated in the Montgomery County Public Schools and a 1953 graduate of Carver High School in Rockville, Maryland. While attending high school, Roland was an active band member playing the tuba, President of The National Honor Society as well as a member of the Hi Y Club of the YMCA. Immediately following high school, Roland enlisted in the United States Army, and was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia where he was honorably discharged after three years of service. While serving in Fort Benning he met, fell in love and married the late Jessie M. Crowell. From their union six children were born Warren, Barbara, Paula, Anthony, Marcel, and Damian. He also was the father to two additional children, Ronald and Wesley.

Roland’s professional career was at the National Institute of Health as a general Lithographer until he retired. He also worked part-time at the National Geographic Magazine as a chef. Needing something else to fulfill his time after retirement, he worked as a contractor for the Montgomery County Public School System as a school bus driver. He was a committed member of the Mason Pythagoras Lodge No. 74, F. & A M, P.H.A. Temple and Shriners Anwar Temple No. 219. He was with the Western Maryland Scottish Rite No. 270.

Roland also loved his morning walks, reading the newspaper, watching sports, game shows, and westerns. He enjoyed Jazz & Blues and gospel music. We could always find Roland with his long-time companion Ms. Rhoda Beckwith, enjoying simple life pleasures, such as traveling, attending local community events, worshipping together, and family gatherings.

He leaves to cherish his memory seven children, Barbara A. Warner (Gregory), Paula D. Bruce (Arthur), Anthony J., Marcel L. Johnson (Marsha), Damian D. Johnson (Angela), Ronald T. Jones (Raquel) and A. Wesley Taylor (Maxine); twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; a long-time companion, Ms. Rhoda Beckwith, and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by wife, Jessie M. Johnson; son, Warren F., and grandson, Arthur Franklin Bruce, III.

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