Dr. Arnetta Elizabeth Johnson

Our lives go on without you but nothing is the same

We have to hide our heartache when someone speaks your name.

Sad are the hearts that love you, silent are the tears that fall

Living without you is the hardest part of all.

You did so many things for us your heart was so kind and true

And when we needed someone we could always count on you.

The special years will not return when we are all together

But with the love in our hearts you walk with us forever.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Arnetta Johnson, 74, of Summerville, SC on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. 

Dr. Arnetta Elizabeth Johnson was born on January 7, 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Mr. Arnold Marvley adn she was raised by her maternal grandmother, Missionary Arlenia Richardson. On Saturday, December 13, 2025 she peacefully entered into eternal rest and went home to be with the Lord. 

Arnetta attended school in the Philadelphia Public School System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earning a four-year teacher's scholarship to pursue a teaching degree. Upon completion of high school, she attended Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the first Historically Black College (HBCU) in America, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1972. She later attended Beaver College in Beaver, Pennsylvania (currently Arcadia University), where she received her Administrative Certification and Master of Education in 1986. A few years later, Arnetta attended Camden University in Camden, New Jersey where she received her Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration and Naturopathic Health in 2007.

Arnetta and Donald Edward Johnson joined hands and hearts together in marriage on August 21, 1996. As love birds and the best of friends, they enjoyed exploring life and the world together. Arnetta was Donald's pride and joy, whom he affectionately called "Queen Elizabeth".

Arnetta accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very early age- seven years old. She loved to worship and praise God from her heart. She had a very delightful and hospitable spirit and loved to feed and socialize with friends. Arnetta was blessed with multiple gifts and talents. As a lover of children, she was a foster mother, and she also did academic mentoring and tutoring. She was an Entrepreneur who was the Owner and Operator of a Christian Bookstore, a gift shop specializing in elegant gifts, and a Children's Daycare called Arn's Tender Love.

Arnetta was an excellent Educator and for 40 years she taught in the education systems in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Claymont, Delaware, and Williamstown, New Jersey. Twenty Two of those years were spent in the Philadelphia school system serving as a teacher and administrator. As a woman of great intellect and wit, she received recognition and honor as the Teacher of The Year for 2012-213 rom Williamstown High School, Gloucester County, New Jersey, where she had the distinguished privilege of being honored by the Mayor, State Board of Education, State Freeholders, and the Superintendent and School Administrator.

Arnetta's serving on the Executive Committee and as 2nd Vice President and 1st Vice President of Gloucester County Education Association (GCEA) afforded her the opportunity to serve on the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

Arnetta also taught at Williamstown Middle School in Williamstown, New Jersey, as a special education teacher. Serving students who werelabeled "at risk students" because they were physically, mentally, emotionally and socially disabled had always been her sought after true love and earnest desire to serve. During her tenure as an educator, she served as a special education teacher, classroom teacher, Vice Principal, and Principal, and Principal. Moving between schools, she consistently thrived within the Pennsylvania and New Jersey school systems.

She was an active member of several educators' unions, including the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Executive Committee as one of the Ethnic-Minority at Large Representatives, she served on teh NJEA- Minority Leadership Recruitment Committee, NJEA- Human & Civil Rights Committee, GCEA- Minority Member-at-Large Chairperson, GCEA- NJEA- Delegate Assembly Representative adn a NEA Black Caucus Member.

Arnetta was also a member of the distinguished Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) educational sorority which is well known nationally as well as internatiionally for promoting professional adn personal growth of women educators, impacting excellence in education worldwide. 

Arnetta was truly a God-fearing, faithful and anointed woman of God. She was an honorable woman who was highly thought of and well-loved by her family and many that knew her. Her talents, abilities and gifts were utilized faithfully in church as well as in various areas of her life to bless others and bring glory and honor to God.

Arnetta was preceded in death by her father, mother and grandmother.

She leaves to cherish hr mmories her beloved spouse Donald Edward Johnson, Summerville, SC her childeren Kimberly Bryant, Knightdale, NC, and Arman (Katrina) Bryant, Douglasville, GA; her three step-children Donald Bowen, Charlotte, NC, Yael Johnson, Philadelphia, PA, and Keziah Cameron, Folosom, PA; her sisters & brothers Arlenia Roberts, Constance (John) Glover, Larry Bey, Leonard Goodman, Aaron Goodman, Arness Goodman, Claire Goodman, Andre Marbley all of Philadelphia, PA, her sisters-in-law, Brenda Avery, Blue Bell, PA, and Barbara Johnson, Pasadena, California, her brother-in-law, Wade Johnson, Chester, PA, her grandchildren Desarae (Paulie) Bryant, Ibn Bryant, Brianna (Artez) Hickman, Errick Davis, Armani Bryant, Amare (Viaja) Bryant, Camerson Bryant, Katryse Hammond, Krystin-Dion Hammond, her great-grandchildren Aaliyah, Arielle, Amina, Artez, Amir, and Nyomi and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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