A Service of Thanksgivingin honour of the Life and Legacy of

Ambassador Keith Meredith Johnson, OJ, CD, LLD

Sunday, December 6, 20094:30 p.m.

The Community Church of New York40 East 35th Street, New York, NY

Ambassador Keith M. Johnson OJ, CD, LLDJuly 29th, 1921 - October 1, 2009

Order of ServicePrelude Mr. Jerry Brown

Welcome Rev. Bruce Southworth

Chalice Lighting The Johnsons

* Opening Hymn #6 Just As Long As I Have Breath

The Lesson Rev. Desmond Greene

Greetings His Excellency Ambassador Raymond Wolfe Dr. Una S.T. Clarke

Offering for Maxfield Park Childrens Home and Kingston College Mr. Donovan Gopie Litany of Honor Rev. Josh Pawelek

Musical Interlude If I Can Help Somebody, Spiritual Raymond Mendez

Remembrances Rev. Dr. Tracey Robinson Harris

Poem Valerie Forbes, Esq.

Family Tributes The Johnsons

*Closing Hymn # 101 Abide With Me Prayer and Meditation Rev. Bruce Southworth

*National Anthems of the United States of America and Jamaica

*Benediction Rev. Bruce Southworth

Postlude* please stand in body, or in spirit

Biography

The distinguished diplomatic career of Ambassador the Hon. Keith Meredith Johnson, OJ, CD, LLD, began with Jamaica’s at-tainment of Independence in 1962.

It reached its pinnacle when he was appointed Ambassador to the Unites States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, in 1981, where he served until his retirement from the service in 1991. Ambassador Johnson subsequently became an international consultant in the areas of human rights, social justice and envi-ronmental justice. Previously, Ambassador Johnson served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York from 1967 to 1973m, and as Jamaica’s first Consul General to that City from 1962 to 1967. He also served as Ambassador to Germany and Ambassador (Non-resident) to Argentina, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Israel and the Holy See. The Government of Jamaica conferred upon Ambassador Johnson the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) and the Order of Jamaica. The University of the West Indies bestowed on him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.

A native of Spanish Town and a graduate of Kingston College, he studied demography and statistics at Columbia University and Oxford University.

Ambassador Johnson, a family man, was married to his beloved Dr. Pamela Elaine Bryan Rodgers Johnson who died ten years ago. He is survived by daughters Rev. Hope Johnson and Ms. Janice Marie Johnson, who describe him as the “apple of our eyes.” Ambassador Johnson also leaves granddaughters Lehna Martine Huie and Jova Lynne Vargas; and nieces and nephews including Helen Christian, Jennifer Christian Thomas, Donald Christian, David Henry, Dawn Burgess and numerous other members of his extended family.

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 44: 1 - 15*New Revised Standard Version

Hymn In Honor of Our Ancestors

1 Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations.

2 The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning.

3 There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valor;

those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles;

4 those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people's lore; they were wise in their words of instruction;

5 those who composed musical tunes, or put verses in writing;

6 rich men endowed with resources, living peacefully in their homes-

7 all these were honored in their generations, and were the pride of their times.

8 Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise.

9 But of others there is no memory; they have perished as though they had never existed;

they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them. 10 But these also were godly men,

whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; 11 their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children's children.

12 Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake.

13 Their offspring will continue forever, and their glory will never be blotted out.

14 Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation.

15 The assembly declares their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.

The Family of Ambassador Keith Meredith Johnson, OJ, CD, LLD takes this opportunity to publicly and collectively thank everyone who through their words and deeds have shown how much they cared. We offer a very personal thank you to his care-giving and medical team: Lolita Best (deceased), Roxana Jimenez, Sennan Lewis, Yuleiny Vasquez, Nurse Mowbrie, and Nurse Michelle.

We offer gracious thanks to the Memorial Planning Team for their love and support. We thank them for including Hope and Janice Marie on the team. We appreciate your kind expressions of love and thanksgiving for his life. Thanks to each of you for your presence with us today as we honor our beloved Father and Grandfather—he would be “well pleased.” One Love,

Hope, Janice Marie, Lehna and Jova

The Family and Friends of Ambassador Keith M. Johnson OJ, CD, LLD NYC

Memorial Planning Team:

Hon. Una Clarke, “Beloved Mother of Us All”Donovan Gopie, Chair

Valerie Forbes Esq.Rev. Desmond Green

Marlon HewRev. Hope Johnson

Janice Marie JohnsonMinna Hamilton LaFortune

Raymond Mendez

The Family and Friends of Ambassador Keith M. Johnson OJ, CD, LLD NYC Memorial Planning Team wishes to extend appreciation and grateful thanks to all who are participating in this service. The Committee also wishes to thank all who have helped with this service and reception. Included in these are:

George BrashPat Chin

Rev. Dennis DillonLes Forrai

Vincent HoSangSabrina HoSang

Robert Kelly, President KCOBADaphne Mahoney

Keisha MartinFitz and Rosalind McLymont

K. Joyce PrestwidgeEd Robinson

Eion SaundersMichele Thompson

Afro-CaribA SingersCommunity Church Of New York

Crystal RestaurantDennis Shipping

Joloff Restaurant, Brooklyn Minuteman Press of Manhasset

Royal Caribbean BakerySuper Wings Restaurant

VP RecordsWBAI Fm

WPAT RadioWVIP FmZINC TV

Portrait by R.W. Jonesfrom the private collection of Keith M. Johnson