About The Rev. Walter & Leona Johnson Scholarshipfor Faith & Ministry
Rev. Walter & Leona Johnson
Reverend and Sister Leona Johnson lived lives defined by faith and service. Their legacy is not measured only by years lived, but by lives changed through compassion, consistency, and unwavering devotion to God and community.
Walter Lee Johnson was born on July 26, 1934, in Ripley, Tennessee, to Anne Pearl and Walter Johnson. Leona Johnson, also known as Mary Magdaline Stowe, was born on October 25, 1932, in Fayette, Alabama, to Ada and Lee Stowe. United in marriage in 1956, they shared more than four decades together until Reverend Johnson’s passing in January 1999. Sister Johnson continued their legacy of faith and service until her transition in August 2017.
Their union produced three children—Gwendolyn, Gerald, and Lee—and a growing family that included ten grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Among them were two great-grandchildren adopted from foster care, reflecting the Johnsons’ lifelong commitment to love, inclusion, and family beyond biological ties.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Before answering his call to ministry, Reverend Johnson served honorably in the United States Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After his military service, he became a small business owner, operating a dry-cleaning business in St. Louis, Missouri. He later worked in the steel mills of Chicago, Illinois, as a millwright, installing and maintaining heavy industrial machinery. His strong work ethic, humility, and reliability were evident in every role he held.
Sister Johnson was equally industrious and service-minded. She helped operate the family’s dry-cleaning business, worked as a hairdresser, and later devoted herself fully to caring for her home and grandchildren. Her nurturing presence extended far beyond her household, as she poured wisdom, encouragement, and prayer into all who crossed her path.
A pivotal moment in their lives of service occurred in the early 1970s when Reverend Johnson met Reverend Willie Butler and joined Glory Bound Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Under Reverend Butler’s leadership, Reverend Johnson embraced his calling with humility and dedication. He served faithfully as a choir member, church bus driver, deacon, and community servant. In 1980, he was ordained and became Associate Pastor of Glory Bound, where he ministered with a heart for reconciliation and restoration.
Sister Johnson stood faithfully beside him in every season. She served as a Sunday School teacher, choir soloist, usher board member, mother board member, and active participant in outreach efforts. Together, they lived Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The Johnsons’ service reached far beyond church walls. They taught Bible study, organized clothing drives, fed the elderly and homeless, and coordinated gospel concerts that brought hope and healing to the Chicago community. Their lives demonstrated that true ministry is lived daily—through kindness, generosity, and consistent example. Countless individuals committed their lives to faith and service because of the Johnsons’ influence, including leaders who continue to serve today, among them members of the Fostering Futures Foundation Board of Trustees.
Reverend Johnson’s final sermon, based on John 3:16, preached of God’s immeasurable love, and the following morning, he transitioned, having served faithfully until his final breath. Sister Johnson’s life was equally victorious. The song she often sang, “Me and the Devil Had a Wrestle, But I Won,” reflected her spiritual resilience. Through prayer, perseverance, and unwavering faith, she overcame life’s challenges and remained steadfast in service.
For their enduring example of faith, service, and love in action, this scholarship is proudly named in honor of Reverend and Sister Johnson.
