Ms. Kathy Foster Johnson

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Our beloved Kathy Denise Foster Johnson departed this life on November 20, 2022, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Kathy was born on November 11, 1958, in Washington, D.C., to the Late Dr. Howard Jerry Foster and Margaret Drake Foster. She was the third of four children with whom Howard and Margaret were blessed to bring into this world. Kathy accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized into the Baptist denomination. She regularly attended the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Worship Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She demonstrated the Word of God through her caring and loving actions and deeds. During her early formative years, Kathy lived in Washington, D. C., and at age six, relocated with family to Huntsville, Alabama. In Huntsville, she attended West Mastin Lake Elementary School and Ed White Junior High School where she met and made lifelong friends. Additionally, Kathy was gifted in music and played piano at a number of social gatherings with family and friends. As a result of the untimely death of her father, the family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where Kathy attended and graduated from Pearl High School--one of the first and most prominent high schools in Tennessee for African Americans. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. She also was involved in several extra-curricular activities, including the high school cheerleading squad where she actively participated for four years. Kathy loved fashion and was named “best dressed” her senior year. Kathy went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Television and Film from the University of Texas in Austin, TX, and continued with graduate coursework, receiving high honors, at the Phillip Merrill School of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park. In 1994, Kathy married Sewell Burks Johnson of Washington, D.C., and to this union, two children were born – Jessica and Nicholas. She had a deep love for family and was known as a devoted mother who always put family first. She remained home to raise her children in their early formative years. Having nearly a 40-year successful career in media, Kathy was a talk show host, anchor, reporter, writer, editor, and producer. She started her career as Talk Show Host and Producer for the Alabama Public Television Network in 1980. She went on to work as a news anchor and reporter for television network affiliates in Alabama, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Notably, she served as News Anchor for WSPA (CBS) in Spartanburg, South Carolina, News Channel 8 (Cable TV), and WJLA (ABC) in Washington, D.C. Kathy moved into radio with large markets working as a national news anchor and reporter for Sirius/XM Satellite Radio; a news anchor, writer, and reporter for CBS Radio; and most recently, an international radio news writer, editor, and producer for Westwood One Radio Network, from which she eventually retired. Yet, her proudest accomplishment was witnessing her children grow up and develop into successful young adults with great character and compassion. Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Howard Jerry Foster and her brother, Gary Louis Foster. She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Margaret Drake Foster of Nashville, TN; her daughter, Jessica Denise Johnson and her son, Nicholas Foster Johnson of Washington, D.C.; her sisters, Dr. Jeanne Foster Jacobs of Nashville, TN, and Tracy Ann Foster Webb (Timothy) of Houston, TX; her nephew, Alva Jacobs, III (Cheryl) of Huntsville, AL; her nieces, Alexandra Michelle Webb and Adrienne Clarke Webb of Houston, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Ms. Kathy Foster Johnson

November 11, 1958 - November 20, 2022

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