Blossom Johnson

Blossom Reaves Johnson was born on August 12, 1921 to the late Samuel Reaves and Octavia Rowe. Blossom was the youngest of eleven children: Andrew Reaves, Ben Reaves, Dan Reaves, Jesse Reaves, Ulrich Reaves, Francis Bracy, Eliza Mae Hail, Dorothy Rowe, Lessie Rowe, and Mamie Rowe, all who preceded her in death. Blossom departed this life, after a brief illness, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

Blossom received her early childhood education in Leesville, South Carolina and went on to pursue cosmetology at Martha Washington Vocational School. Following her education, Blossom went on to hold a number of positions before completing lengthy careers with both Washington Union Station and the National Institute of Health.

Blossom was raised in the Baptist Church, but converted to Catholicism in the 1980s. She became a devout Catholic who spent much of her adult life as a member of both Shrine of the Sacred Heart in NW Washington, D.C. and St. Frances de Sales in NE Washington, D.C. During that time, she was accepted and installed as a Sodality member, and also served on the Parish Council, was a member of the Altar Society and was a Eucharistic Minister. Her faith, compassion, and giving spirit was seen through her work and willingness to give and to assist anyone in need. She volunteered her time to support others in her community from serving as a ‘grandmother’ for pre-kindergarten children to bringing food or laughter to elderly in nursing homes. Her home was a pathway for many family members traveling between the south and north. She opened her home to her family and friends for a meal, an overnight or long-term stay.

Blossom enjoyed life to the fullest and was very social. She enjoyed traveling and hosting family and friends for cookouts, dinners, or card games. She was an avid card player and was responsible for teaching and subsequently beating many of the skilled spades and bid whist players in the family. She also enjoyed gambling and frequenting casinos, where she could be found at one of her many favorite slot machines. Her joy of cooking and spending time with family motivated her to initiate the Rowe/Reaves Family Reunion. Her love of family and desire to maintain kinship inspired many others to continue hosting the reunion for over 40 years, bringing family from across the country together in love. No matter the event, she was easily spotted, as she was very fond of wearing hats and became known for the many stylish ones she owned.

Blossom leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Larry Thomas (Lillian); her daughter, Lisa Thomas; her grandchildren, Tracey Cooper (Skyler), Larry Thomas Jr. (Tangier), Leandra Thomas, and Leland Thomas (Danielle); Her great-grandchildren, Skyler Cooper, Ashleigh Franco, Alexis Dickson, Nataiya Thomas, Leia Thomas, Talia Cooper, Gary Day, Lana Thomas, and Luna Thomas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.