Eva Virginia Cross Johnson, of Ellicott City, died July 20, 2008, of complications from a stroke, at Gilchrist Hospice, in Towson. She was 91.

Born April 18, 1917, in Ellicott City, to George King and Constance Cross Baker, she attended St. Augustine's Catholic School, in Ellicott City.

She was the granddaughter of the late David Cross, of Doughoregan Manor, in Ellicott City, a former Negro slave and coachman for Gov. Charles Carroll, of Ellicott City, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

She married William W. Johnson in 1936.

Mrs. Johnson worked for the Howard County Board of Education for 20 years.

According to her family members, she started the Eva Johnson Foundation in 2005, which provided a food bank to the residents of Mount Ida Drive, in Ellicott City, and surrounding communities.

She is also remembered for her charitable donations to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C.; the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate; the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows; the Sacred Heart Spiritual Society; the Tekakwitha Indian Missions; and Our Lady of Lourdes, all of which she was also a member.

Mrs. Johnson was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, in Ellicott City.

She was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, William W. Johnson, who died in 1973; and a daughter, Charlotte "Judy" Johnson.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Mary Rogers, of Ellicott City and Roxanne and Sterling Gray, of Baltimore; four sons, Raymond Johnson, of Catonsville, Billy Johnson, of Catonsville, Gerald Johnson, of Ellicott City, and Bernard Johnson, of Catonsville; a niece, Kim, and her husband Glenn Williams; five grandchildren, Yonetta Johnson, Adelle Johnson, Mark Thomas, Russell Rogers Jr. and Danna and her husband, Melvin Thomas; five great-grandchildren, Tamika Rogers, Melvin Thomas, Dominique Johnson, Kyle Thomas, and C.J. Rogers; as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held July 24, 2008, at St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Interment followed at St. John's Cemetery, in Ellicott City.

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