The Rev. Barbara A. Britt Johnson

NEWARK - The Rev. Barbara A. Britt Johnson, of Newark, formerly known as Rev. Loper, departed this life Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, in Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

She was the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Britt and the late Otis L. Britt Sr.

The Rev. Johnson was the wife of Brother William E. Johnson Jr. and mother of one daughter, Zengara.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from Wilmington College and a master's of divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary.

In addition she was enrolled as a doctoral student at both Wesley Theological Seminary and Howard School of Divinity.

The Rev. Johnson was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church and served as pastor both in Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Rev. Johnson's previous appointment was at Union United Methodist Church, St. Michaels, Md.

She served her conference as the vice chair of the Howard Bailey Life Enrichment Program.

She was a member of the Advocacy Resource Team, a member of the Conference Nominating Team and she became a member of the New Clergy and Laity Team for the Peninsula-Delaware Conference Healthy Church Initiative.

Rev. Johnson was also a member of the Philadelphia Episcopal Area Planning Committee and she was president of Wesley Theological Seminary Alumni Association.

She served also on the Eastern District as a Probationary Guide for Ministers seeking to be elders in the United Methodist Church and Chairperson of Easton District Ministries and Mates.

Rev. Johnson ministered as Character Counts coach in St. Michaels' public schools and as a member of the St. Michaels Area Ministerial Association.

Her soul's desire was to be used by God.

Her favorite scripture was 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband, William E. Johnson Jr. of Newark; her loving and caring mother, Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Britt of Wilmington; one precious daughter, Zengara A. Loper of Texas; one granddaughter, Deonna Loper of Texas; three wonderful stepchildren, Charlene Gould and her husband Andre, Athena Brown and her husband Eric and William E. Johnson III and his wife Malkia; one sister, Rev. Dr. Otila Dannett Thornton-Butler; two brothers, Otis L. Britt Jr. and Anthony M. Britt; four sisters-in-law, Michelle Britt, Tina Britt, Susie Brown and Beverly Cotton; three brothers-in-law, Sgt. George Butler, Carlson Johnson and Leslie Brown; seven step-grandchildren, Tamara, Sha'quana, DeWan, Jehiyah, Markeshia, Daquan and Kentrell; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Viewing will be from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in St. Mark UM Church in Easton, Md.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Coleman Memorial United Methodist Church in Wilmington.

Burial will be at Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester, Pa.

Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.