Carolyn Clemons Johnson was born October 5, 1934, in Lake Charles, Louisiana,

The fifth (along with her twin, Gwendolyn) of six children born to James and Myrtle Kennedy Clemons.

She is the great, great, great granddaughter of Rhoda Blake, the first African American to settle in Lake Charles and for whom Blake Street is named.

Carolyn accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at a young age and was baptized by Reverend W.C. Clark, then pastor of Christian Baptist Church. She remained an active member of Christian Baptist until she wed, at which time, desiring her family to worship in union, she joined her husband in his Roman Catholic faith, joining Holy Family Church in Natchez, MS. Upon their return to Lake Charles, they became members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church where they were active members for many years. In later years, she couldn't deny the tug at her heart to return to her spiritual beginnings and ultimately rejoined Christian Baptist and remained a faithful member until her passing. For as long as she was physically able, she remained active in her church. She sang in the Sanctuary Choir, was a Youth Counselor, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, member of the Cheerio and Decorating Committees and Women's Missionary Union Circle #6.

Carolyn attended 2nd Ward/W.O. Boston High School, where she enjoyed playing drums in the high school band. After graduating, she attended her beloved Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where she also played in the marching band for one semester. Carolyn graduated from Southern University in three years, with Cum Laude honors, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a Major in English. She later earned her Master of Education degree Plus 30 from McNeese State University.

Upon graduation she returned to WO Boston, where she began her teaching career. In addition to Lake Charles City and Calcasieu Parish School Systems, Carolyn also taught in Madison and Tensas Parish School Systems. Carolyn distinguished herself as an educator and was assigned, along with other top educators in the Lake Charles area, as some of the 1st African American instructors at Sulphur High School. It was her first opportunity to teach students outside her own race, and she wasted no time making both her presence and her value known. She came to love her Sulphur High experience and her students, and they loved and were very respectful and generous to her. Nevertheless, Carolyn was destined to return to WO Boston, and left Sulphur High after about five years to return to teach at Boston. She served in that capacity for several years before transitioning to high school counseling. She worked as a counselor at Washington, Marion, and ultimately Washington-Marion High School when the two merged. She held fond memories of all the wonderful students she taught and counseled over the years and was grateful to have many of her female students serve as her babysitters.

The most significant encounter she had at WO Boston as a teacher, however, was when she met a handsome young science and math teacher from Natchez, MS, Alexander Louis Johnson, Jr. Alexander, or "Zander" as she affectionately came to call him. He caught her eye and captured her heart; and on June 6th, 1959, they were wed. To this union were born four children, Alexander "Skip", Cedric "Ricky/CJ", Sonya "Princess/Lil Mama" and Jolene "Jo".

Two other things Carolyn loved were her dogs and sports. She often spoke affectionately of her first pet, Chico. Once married, she and her family were never without a dog. Carolyn's favorite sports team was her New Orleans Saints. There was rarely a Sunday or Monday night during football season when she wasn't glued to her television. She even came to enjoy watching LSU football and would be able to discuss it in great detail with her son, grandsons and son-in-law.

Carolyn was very active and vocal in the affairs of her community. A force to be reckoned with, she readily attended school board and city council meetings to voice concerns as she deemed necessary.

She was a member of many civic and social organizations including Lake Charles Chapter of the NAACP and Louisiana Retired Teachers Association. She was a Life Member of Southern University Alumni Association; Board Member, SWLA AIDS Council; Charter Member, Krewe de Classique; Member, Mayor's City Hall 1911 Historic Task Force; Trainee, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Charter Member, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.; and Charter member, Les Dames du Lac Red Hat Society, Inc. Yet anyone who's ever spent even a short time with her knows Carolyn's first love was DST. She began her entry into Delta land with Alpha Tau Chapter at Southern and was ultimately initiated into Lake Charles Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1966. She later became a Golden Life Member. She served in numerous capacities, on various committees, and in various offices. Though her health eventually impaired her ability to actively participate, she never tired of bragging about her sorority and always enjoyed the visits from her chapter members.

Upon retirement from the Calcasieu Parish School System, Carolyn lived a full and active life. She loved doing volunteer work, sharing her time and talents with the City of Lake Charles Enterprise Boulevard Neighborhood Revitalization Project; Christus St Patrick Auxiliary, fondly known as the "Pink Ladies"; SWLA Special Olympics; American Diabetes Foundation; United Way; American Heart Association; SWLA Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation; Volunteers of America, Inc; Habitat for Humanity, and was particularly proud of the service she provided the American Red Cross in the aftermath of Hurricane Audrey.

One of Carolyn's proudest accomplishments was championing a reunion of all past and present classes of W. O. Boston high School, and out of this vision founded and chaired "The Homecoming" in 1983. This reunion brought together students and graduates from 55 years, beginning with The Class of 1929, of which her mother was a member.

In the last couple of years, Carolyn moved into the Calcasieu Community Care Center, or 4C as it became known among her children. Although her body weakened over time, her mind (and her mouth) remained vibrant. Carolyn never met a stranger, and she wouldn't let moving into 4C change that. There was no one in 4C who did not know…and was not at some point chastised by… Mrs. Carolyn Johnson. In fact, she would regularly remind everyone that she was the queen of 4C, and everyone knew she was the boss! As it became apparent that her health was declining, she made it clear that she was ready to see her husband, son, and loved ones. But more than anything, she was ready to meet her Savior and King. She fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith.

Carolyn was proceeded in death by her beloved husband Alexander L. Johnson, Jr; her son Alexander "Skip" Johnson, III; her parents James Albert Clemons, Sr. and Myrtle Kennedy Clemons; her brothers Thomas Kennedy Clemons and Billy Van Clemons (Glenys); and her twin sister Gwendolyn Clemons Carriere (John).

She is survived by her son Cedric Anthony Johnson of San Antonio, TX; daughter Sonya Alexis Johnson of Manvel, TX; daughter Jolene Alicia Johnson Hardy (Rhoman) of Baton Rouge, LA; siblings James A. Clemons, Jr (Patricia) of Lake Charles, LA and Gretchen Clemons St. Julien of Milwaukee, WI; brother-in-law Wilbur O. Johnson (Barbara) of Natchez, MS; sister-in-law Geraldine Johnson Segura (Raymond) of Jennings, LA; granddaughter Lindsay Alexandra Johnson of Houston, TX; grandsons Justin Jerard and Joshua Alexander Hardy of Baton Rouge, LA; great-grandson Tristan Alexander Watson of Houston, TX; and a host of dearly loved nieces, nephews, and friends in addition to her beloved grand-dogs, Simba, Bijou, and Nahla.

Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Memorial Service will begin at 9:00 A.M.  Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Christian Baptist Church, visitation will follow until 11:00 A.M. with funeral services immediately following. Pastor Edward Alexander will officiate. Burial will be in Combre Memorial Park under the direction of Combre Funeral Home.