Obituary: Gail Elizabeth Johnson, April 18, 1936 - August 30, 2024

Gail Elizabeth Johnson, born April 18, 1936, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter Stacey on August 30, 2024, surrounded by her daughter, Stacey, son-in-law Bishop Archie Hopkins Jr. her grand- and great-grandchildren. Gail was born at Herman Keifer Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, the only child of Helen Wilson and Lemuel Wilson, who shared a surname but were not related. She was the fourth woman in her family to be given the name Elizabeth, a tradition she cherished.

Gail spent her childhood on Detroit's East Side, just two blocks from the Chrysler Manufacturing Company. Raised by her grandparents, Barton and Alice Wilson, Gail attended Keating Elementary, Foch Junior High, and Southeastern High School. During high school, she went to live with her mother and transferred to Northwestern High School. Gail graduated from Great Lakes College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science from Marylhurst College, among many other educational achievements. She was a lifelong learner, always passionate about education.

Gail married Myron Whitlow, gaining her mother-in-law, Kathleen Whitlow (aka Sweets) and welcomed a son, Blake, into their family. They later moved to California, where their daughter Lauren was born. After her divorce from Myron, Gail returned to school and became a Radiological Technologist, also known as an X-ray Technician. In California, Gail met and married Joe Washington, gaining a mother and father-in-law Cherry and Jerome Hendrix, and adding to their family, a daughter, Stacey. The family moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1968. After her divorce from Joe, Gail married Robert Johnson in 1990, gaining a loving mother-in-law, Ernestine Johnson. Gail and Robert enjoyed traveling, attending jazz festivals and listening to jazz with friends.

They settled in Surprise, Arizona, after spending several years "snow birding" between Portland, Vancouver, Washington and Arizona.

Gail held many careers, including:

• In her senior year of high school, Gail and her best friend, Mary Alice, became the first Black telephone operators at Michigan Bell Telephone Company, beginning her legacy of many firsts.
• First Black X-ray technician in Portland Oregon
• First Black Assistant to Mayor Bud Clark, Portland Oregon
• First Black Employee Relations Officer for the City of Portland's Personnel Department
• Labor Relations Representative for the Oregon Nurses Association
• Labor Consultant for the Massachusetts Teachers Association
• Union Service Representative for the Massachusetts Teachers Association
• Business Agent for the Oregon Public Employees Union
• Employee Relations Manager for the Bureau of Human Resources, City of Portland
• Owner of JayGroup Life Coaching

Gail was deeply involved in her church and community, and was one of the key founding members of the first free health clinic for her church, St. Andrew, in Northeast Portland, called the Health Help Center. She successfully gathered volunteer doctors and solicited pharmaceutical donations to provide free medication for underserved communities. She later joined her daughter, Stacey and son-in-law, Bishop Archie Hopkins Jr. at New Direction Community COGIC, serving in a number of capacities.

She served on numerous community committees and boards, including:

• Black Lay Catholic Caucus
• Northwest Black Elected Officials
• Portland Branch of the NAACP
• Tri-Met (Tri-County Transit Authority)
• Philip Randolph Institute
• Oregon Lung Association
• YWCA (2nd Vice President)
• Portland City Club (Treasurer)
• Urban League Guild (Treasurer)
• Oregon Pioneer Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women
• Catholic Children’s Services Advisory Board
• New Direction Community Church Mother’s Board

She was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she served as President of the Portland Alumnae Chapter and worked on the initial development of the June Key Delta House. She also belonged to the Phoenix Red Hatters and The Links, Inc.

Gail was known for her love of family and community. She had a saying for every occasion, such as: “If you like it, I love it,” “God don’t like ugly,” “You can whine or cry about it, but you only get 5 minutes,” and “could it be that it is not about you.” Her wisdom, humor, love of learning, classiness and passion for life will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her friends will never forget her chitterlings and champagne soirees.

Gail was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Jerry and Elizabeth Wilson; maternal grandparents Barton and Alice Wilson; parents Lemuel Wilson and Helen Wilson; aunts Louise, Betty and Grace; uncles Henry, Mathew and Barton; mothers-in-law Kathleen Whitlow, Cherry C. Hendrix, and Ernestine Johnson; fathers-in-law Jerome (Shorty) Hendrix and Robert Johnson Sr.; and her first husband, Myron Whitlow and second husband Joe Washington. Gail is survived by her loving husband, Robert C. Johnson; son, Blake W. Washington; daughters, Lauren G. Lund and Stacey E. Hopkins; son-in-law, Bishop Archie R. Hopkins Jr.; grandchildren Nicole Daughtry, Chris Hopkins, Kendra Roberts, and god-granddaughter Viva Pichon; Great-grandchildren Zion Lamont Cason, Natalia Hopkins, Vivek Pichon, Khlo’E Pichon, Kendal McGlothen, Kyrah Roberts, Kevin Roberts, and Kaiden Roberts, and goddaughter Lonetta Scott. She also leaves behind a host of beloved cousins, in-laws, bonus children and grandchildren and cherished friends who were family to her.

Special thanks to Gail’s amazing caregivers Latai Hingano and Melissa Naquin. The family could not have provided the level of excellent care for their mother without them. They consistently went above and beyond providing basic care and treated Gail like family. The family is forever indebted to them. Special thanks to Daisy Santos, Debbie Belden, Marnie Scott and Donna Luebbert for also providing care and respite for Gail.

Gail Elizabeth Johnson lived a life filled with love, service and wisdom. Her spirit and legacy will continue to inspire and uplift all those who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.

A celebration of life for Gail Elizabeth Johnson will be held on: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. At 10:30 a.m. the Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will hold an “Omega Omega” Ceremony to which all are welcome. The Celebration of Life Service begins at 11 a.m. at Greater Solid Rock COGIC, 1705 NE Dekum St., Portland, OR.

Gail will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery in a private family ceremony.

The family appreciate gifts of flowers and cards, they can be sent to Greater Solid Rock Church, 1705 NE Dekum St, Portland, OR 97211. Donations to the following charities or organizations can also be made in Gail’s honor:

The Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. https://www.portlanddeltas.org/jkdcc
A Caring Closet https://acaringcloset.org
The Alzheimer’s Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter https://www.alz.org/orswwa

The family extends deepest gratitude for everyone’s love, support and prayers.