Zeta Soror Tommie Lee Johnson, Plant City icon to turn 100 years old
A lone oak tree is the last original landmark standing at the site where 99-year-old Tommie Lee Johnson began her teaching career.
As Johnson’s birthday approaches, community members reflected on the memories Plant City High School’s first African American college-educated teacher has left with the area.
Former student Henry Foster explained the impact Johnson has made in her 99 years.
“You ain’t going to hardly find nobody she didn’t teach or had an influence on,” Foster said.
Johnson also made history as a charter member of the Plant City chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Former student Robert Clayton, 71, says what Johnson’s done in the community has been felt by everyone who knows her.
“She’s just an icon in Plant City, Florida,” Clayton said.
However, Clayton knows Johnson in a more personal way. He says Johnson was a second mother to him, teaching him not only classroom lessons, but life lessons, too.
“She was my first grade teacher and she was the best teacher I ever had through my 12 years in school,” Clayton said.
Although students say she made her mark, Johnson is not yet tired from leaving her legacy.
“Oh, I don’t feel it,” Johnson said when asked about how she feels turning 100 years old.
Johnson will celebrate her milestone birthday on Aug. 1 with family and friends.
Johnson says she’s already done so much that her one birthday wish is to dance with the president. As of now, she has not passed on her request.
