Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Twila Johnson, 73, of Sandusky, decided her work was fulfilled here on Earth and joined the Lord, as well as an extensive list of family and friends, in Heaven on Saturday, December 10, 2016.
She was born in Sandusky on August 28, 1943 to the late Emmett and Mary Essie Davidson.
She spent her early years in the Sandusky school system, graduating in 1963, a member of the first class to complete all four years at Sandusky High. Go Blue Streaks!
After graduation, Twila moved to Columbus, Ohio with her son, Eric, and worked at The Ohio State University in the clerical department. She moved back to Sandusky to be closer to friends and family, and there her career in industry began. She worked at Foster Grant, the plastic corporation. After several years, she got the opportunity to work for General Motors. She later became the plant's first black woman to work in machine repair after attaining her Associates' Degree from BGSU Firelands. Twila married Andrew C. Johnson III and they had two very active boys, Mitchell and Andrew IV, to join Eric and Drake.
Her desire to help others and get involved began to flourish. Over the next 50 years her list of community involvement activities grew. They are, but not limited to, the following: the UAW Women's Committee Local 913, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), the United Way Board of Directors, member of the Erie County NAACP and the Democratic Women of Erie County, served as Secretary for Retiree Chapter 913, where she was a placed on their Wall of Honor for her service, recipient of the Bright Light Award, cofounder/Treasurer of Sandusky Citizen's Coalition, worked with Serving Our Seniors Committee, where they made her a cover girl, poster girl, and calendar girl, and Twila was also a graduate of LEADS (Leadership Enrichment and Development for Sandusky).
Her hobbies lead her to join the Just Basics Sewing Circle, various knitting and quilting auxiliaries, and she took part in the annual Quilt Day celebration at the Follett House Museum, performing quilting demonstrations each year. She had countless speaking engagements. Twila educated hundreds on Black History events, told Underground Railroad stories, and even had her own local television show. She used the weekly platform to interview community leaders and people of interest. Lastly, she was a charter member of the Harvest House Missionary Baptist Church.
Twila leaves her brother, Gregory; four sons; 16 grandchildren; and over 20 great grandchildren to carry on her legacy. They live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, California, and other locations across the country. She loved them all and they will always love her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Emmett; and sister, Dierdre.
Friends may call on Friday, December 16 from 6-8 p.m. in Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Funeral services will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Harvest House Missionary Baptist Church, 265 Jackson St., Sandusky. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting toftfh.com.
