Phyllis Elaine McIver

OBITUARY OF PHYLLIS ELAINE JOHNSON MCIVER

Phyllis Elaine Johnson McIver transitioned peacefully on May 17, 2022 after a prolonged illness. The oldest child and daughter of the late Hobson Jr. and Frances Matthews Johnson, she had a very nurturing yet independent spirit. She grew up in Montgomery County Maryland, attending elementary and secondary school there. She was among the first Black students to integrate Walter Johnson High School, from which she graduated in 1958. Following high school, she briefly attended Montgomery College and later on American University.

She had four children Eric, Craig, Arthur Jr, and Lynette. She married twice; once to  Arthur Copeland, Sr. of Gaithersburg in 1963 and later to Joseph W. McIver of Cleveland, Ohio. Joseph succumbed to cancer in 1980. Despite the hardships of single parenthood, Phyllis remained an optimist and one who demanded the best from her children. While her children were elementary school students, Phyllis embarked upon Business studies at American University. Despite being a few credits short of her Bachelor’s Degree, she used this knowledge to start her own business. Her higher education goals served to inspire her children to pursue the same. Her sons graduated from Frederick Military Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia, and Arthur and Craig went on to receive multiple college degrees from notable universities.

Phyllis was employed in the federal government, working for various agencies including the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the Department of the Treasury. 

She enjoyed family, friends, traveling, and worship. She would frequently have gatherings of family and friends at her home. She enjoyed traveling both domestically and internationally. She was particularly fond of the memories she had of her trip to Paris, France. She was deeply spiritual, and felt that she should try to assist anyone in need in the best way that she could.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Bernard and Kenneth, and sister, Francine. She is survived by her children, Eric, Craig (Regla), Arthur (Leslie), and Lynnette; Sister Rene (Essex),Sister-in-Law Jacqueline, as well as 19 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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