Emily Dryman Johnson

Emily Dryman Johnson, died Sunday, January 15, 2023, from a prolonged struggle with cancer. She was born October 6, 1942, to William Percy Dryman and Emma Wickliffe Dryman of Savannah, Georgia. She grew up in Savannah where she graduated in 1961 from Savannah High School. Upon graduation, she attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and then transferred to the University of Georgia where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. She later studied at Georgia State University where she earned her degree as an Educational Specialist in elementary and literacy education.

Beloved wife of Dr. Clifford Ivy Johnson and loving mother of their daughter, Mary Emily Johnson, and their son Clifford Ivy Johnson, II. She was the cherished grandmother of William Howard Pitt, IV, Anna-Hollis Pitt, Ingram Dryman Pitt, and (Trey) Clifford Ivy Johnson, III.

Emily and Clifford met in their youth singing in the choir at Savannah’s Asbury Memorial Methodist Church. They dated for seven years before marriage and just celebrated their 57th anniversary on June 26, 2022.

Emily’s professional career began with teaching third grade in Savannah at Charles Ellis Elementary School. As Clifford was completing his doctorate at UGA, she worked on her graduate degree while being employed as a Reading Specialist for the Ninth District Educational Services Center in Cleveland, Georgia. She later became a curriculum coordinator for the Atlanta Public Schools. The next 10 years she worked at the Westminster Elementary School as the director of curriculum and instruction where she participated in the design of the new elementary school. Upon retirement from Westminster, she continued her innovative and wide-ranging contributions in children’s education by creating All About Learning. By creating this company, she was an innovator in specialized tutorial services in all subjects for children in the Atlanta area. She was ahead of her time in developing after-school tutoring and enrichment services for students.

Emily’s love for flowers, began very early when her grandmother allowed her to pick flowers from her garden in Savannah. This lifelong passion led to her contributing many years of service to the Southeastern Flower Show. She was a founding member after the 18-year hiatus of the show. Her years of service to the show included many areas. She was on the board of directors. She served as the juried competition chair during the celebration of the 25 years of the flower show. In the year 2010, she was the Show Chair for the year of Discover the Beauty of Green. After serving as chair, she dedicated many more hours of service to the organization.

Emily was a member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church beginning in 1976, where she was a member of the Blazers Sunday School class. She was one of the founders of the church’s flower guild, and she worked with Team 3 of the guild until her passing. There will be a private inurnment ceremony on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church columbarium with a memorial service at 11:00 AM in the church’s sanctuary followed by a reception at noon in Grace Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations go to the church’s flower guild or to the preschool to continue her legacy of teaching and enriching all children’s lives.

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church is located at 3180 Peachtree Road, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30305

(404-266-2373).