Christine Paradise Callier

Christine Paradise Callier, beloved mother, grandmother, educator, church and community leader, passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of ninety-nine, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and service. Born in 1926 in Washington County, Georgia, Christine was the seventh of eight children in a family headed by a strong, determined father, Rev. Frank M. Paradise, Sr., who had little formal education. Early in his life he could not read or write. He took many odd jobs to feed his growing family. He was steadfast in refusing to participate in the sharecropping trap of the Jim Crow south. He blazed his own path, setting a strong example for his children. He learned to read as an adult, using the Bible as his text. Frank rose to be one of the most highly regarded citizens of Washington County as Pastor of the Springfield Baptist Church, which to this day proudly stands as one of the leading churches in Sandersville. He supplemented his pastoral income by writing insurance policies. Frank was joined by his equally determined and strong-willed wife Eunice Griffin (Pate)Paradise, who was raised in the household of her White father and his family. She was a hard worker and could have remained on the Pate property, but her independent nature and desire to marry Frank resulted in her move to Sandersville. As Frank’s wife and mother to a growing family, Eunice commuted to the Pate farm to sew and cook during the week while returning home to Sandersville on weekends, bringing food and clothes for her family. Despite the harsh realities of living in the Jim Crow south the Paradise family was loving, close knit, and imbued with the values of faith, love, honesty, determination, grit, laughter, and hard work. Education was also valued, and five of the Paradise children graduated from college, with four becoming educators. The Paradise family remained close throughout their lives. Each of the girls could sing, and singing together resulted in their becoming widely known as the Paradise Sisters. They enjoyed an unbreakable bond. A proud graduate of Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), Christine thoroughly enjoyed the academic and social swirl of the Atlanta University Center. It is where she met her first and second husbands, and where she became a lifelong, dues paying member of her beloved sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. It was with great joy that she received her 75-year sorority membership pin in 2024. Christine dedicated her life to teaching, beginning her career in Sandersville, GA and later Arlington, Virginia, as the first Black teacher at Oakridge Elementary School. She worked 15 years in the Arlington, VA school system before moving back to Georgia in 1974 and becoming the first Black person hired to teach at Livsey Elementary School in Tucker, Georgia, where she taught for fifteen years. She was beloved by the students, parents, and colleagues, and was known for great devotion to her students with her special ability to inspire those who struggled most. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, as she supported Clark College and mentored countless young people. Christine's personal life was marked by both joy and sorrow. She was married twice, first to Henry Calvin Johnson, with whom she had two children, Lynnette and Henry Calvin Johnson, Jr.(Congressman Hank Johnson representing Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District). After divorcing Henry, she married Charlie Callier, with whom she shared many happy years. Christine endured the tragic loss of her daughter Lynnette and faced life's challenges with remarkable strength and faith. A devoted member of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Christine was the first Black member of the choir and later served as an Elder. She was instrumental in fostering the church's inclusive spirit and was deeply involved in church activities, including founding the Supper Club, a book club which hosts authors for vibrant and thought-provoking discussion, and which encourages life-long reading and learning. She was active with the Supper Club until just a few months ago, when her eyesight failed. Her greatest love at Oakhurst was the choir. She was a member for more than 40 years. When she finally decided to give up her choir activities, the members decided to “retire” her robe. It hangs in a place of honor in the Choir Room. In keeping with her love of singing, just two days before she passed, she told her longtime caregiver and dear friend Dorothy Miles, “Let’s sing!” And indeed, they did. Dorothy said, “…she launched right into ‘This Little Light of Mine’ and I could hardly keep up. As always, she encouraged me and we both had a grand old time singing together. It was a beautiful moment.” Christine was an avid bridge player, an enthusiastic traveler, an inveterate reader of books and newspapers, a devoted fan of Jeopardy, the Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune, the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks and a cherished friend to so many. In her later years, she enjoyed the company of her son Hank, daughter-in-law Mereda, and her grandkids, who brought her great pride and happiness. Christine Paradise Callier's life is a testament to love, compassion, determination, perseverance, gratitude, and service to others. She touched the lives of all who knew her and will be remembered for her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering spirit. Christine's memory will live on in the hearts of those she inspired and loved. Christine is survived by her son, Congressman Hank Johnson, daughter-in-law, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, grandchildren Randi Johnson, Calvin “Alex” Johnson, Dr. Lindsey Callier Letlow, Breyonia Callier and Camerron Callier, dutiful and loving Step Daughter Veda Callier, Daughter-In-Law Leslie Callier, Nieces Maudette Twyman and Debbie Houston, Nephews Alfonzo “Al” Hill (Rachael) and Tony Hall, Cousins Julian (Julia) Pate III, Gwendolyn Myers, Dr. Madeleine (Dr. Booker) Wright, and Aminata Ojore, Special Devoted Friends Jackie Davis and Carole Mumford, Rev. Gibson “Nibs” Stroupe, Rev. Caroline Leach, Mary Smarr and Inez Giles, Devoted Care Givers Dorothy Miles and Laquetta Butler, extended family, and a host of friends and former students. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations are made to the “Turner Youth Fund”. Please see the link below to make those donations. Thank you all in advance for your contributions. Link: https://www.oakhurstpcusa.org/give

Christine Paradise Callier

October 21, 1926 - August 8, 2026