Joan Green Edwards Johnson

Joan Green Edwards Johnson, 89, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2025. She was born on October 25, 1935, a daughter of the late Virgil Theodore and Cora Lee Enlow Green.

Born and raised in Union, SC, Joan was a graduate of Union High School, Class of 1953. She was an Administrative Associate at Milliken & Company for 45 years, until she retired in 1999. Formerly a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Union, SC, Joan taught the B. H. Tucker Sunday School Class for many years. She was also a Certified Lay Speaker in the Methodist Church, former Officer of the Spartanburg District UMW, and past President of the Bethel UMW, serving two terms. Joan also served as former Chairperson of Council on Ministries, former member of the Administrative Board and Pastor-Parish Relations Committee of Bethel, Bethel Historian, and past President of Union Christian and Professional Women, among other offices. She was a former member of Skylyn United Methodist Church and current member of Central United Methodist Church.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, David Neil Johnson, and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Kenny Edwards.

Joan is survived by her children, Karen Edwards Alphonso (Bonny) of Greensboro, NC, Ralph “Butch” Edwards, Jr. of Forest City, NC, and Kathy Edwards Poole (Lee) of Spartanburg, SC; step-daughter, Cindy Johnson Van Buren (Daniel) of Prosperity, SC; and sister, Carol Gregory Sherman of Prosperity, SC. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Bonny Scarpitta Alphonso Pongnon (Marc) of New York, NY, Cristian G. Alphonso of Encinitas, CA, and Alex G. Poole of Columbia, SC; step-granddaughter, Olivia Neile Cooley of Columbia, SC; step-great-granddaughter, Judith Pulliam Cooley; father of her children, Ralph H. Edwards, Sr. of Union, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Joan’s caregiver, Amy Stokholm, for her excellent care she provided over the last year and a half.

Memorial services will be 2:00PM on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Central United Methodist Church, 233 N Church St, Spartanburg, SC 29306, conducted by Rev. Cam Treece. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In memory of Joan, contributions may be made to the David N. and Joan E. Johnson Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wofford College, 429 N. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.