Remembering G-Ma
Apr 12 | Men's Basketball
Eva Johnson's opportunistic tact at the bowling alley or during a game of Solitaire often belied her gentle demeanor. A mother of three and grandmother to eight, she would dispense of her beloved family members during skillful competitions in a manner just slightly more encouraging than decisive.
Such occurrences were commonplace and regarded as more lesson than defeat. Getting schooled by G-Ma was a right-of-passage that was not only accepted, but appreciated, because she was the unquestioned cheerleader of her family that included grandson and two-time Rutgers basketball team captain Mike Williams Jr. With her support, Williams Jr. scored 1,093 points from 2014-18 before earning a degree in criminal justice with a minor in labor and employment relations.
A frequent spectator at the Rutgers Athletic Center, Bishop Loughlin's Memorial High School Gymnasium and the Brevoort Housing Project courts, Eva delivered her cheers in a manner definitively G-Ma.
"She was always at my games with my mom and dad," said Williams Jr. "It meant a lot. She was the only person who wouldn't scream. She just sat and watched but understood everything. She would say 'I'm here for support, so I'm not going to go all crazy like your mother, or your aunt, or your dad. I don't have time for that, and you don't need that."
Eva passed away on Wednesday, April 1, at the age of 72 at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn from pneumonia. Whether or not COVID-19 contributed to her passing is uncertain, as her family did not receive confirmation of a testing result. The pandemic's distancing protocols, however, made an already difficult experience even more distressing and complicated.
"I was able to speak with her, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to see her," said Williams Jr., who had just returned after competing for the Hemel Storm in Britain's Division I National Basketball League. "Things were going crazy and there was social distancing. Having arrived from London, I couldn't do anything that might elevate the risk."
Eva Eyvonne Johnson was born on January 25, 1948 in Sumter, South Carolina, before moving with her family to Brooklyn. A graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School, she earned two degrees, an associate degree in applied science from Kingsboro Community College and a bachelor of the arts in urban sociology from the City College of New York. She spent more than 40 years in civil service, working as director of special events and a center manager with the New York City Departments of Parks and Recreation. Eva was recognized as New York City's Employee of the Month four times.
More important, Eva was genuine and generous to the many who often asked her advice and counsel. She followed in the footsteps of her mother and served as a stewardess at Calvary Fellowship AME Church. In addition to her love of family and games, she enjoyed swimming, travelling and reading. Her love of books is shared by her daughter Lizette, Mike's mother, an elementary school teacher at PS21 in Brooklyn.
"G-Ma was quiet, easy-going and loved her family," said Williams Jr. "Whatever I needed, she was always there. Before I went to England, she had a Facebook account, but not Twitter or Instagram. When she learned that she could vote for me for awards over there using social media, she signed up for all of them."
Williams Jr. was one of five players named to Britain's NBL Division I Team of the Year an April 10. Fan voting via social media contributed to the selections and began in March. Thank you again G-Ma.
Such occurrences were commonplace and regarded as more lesson than defeat. Getting schooled by G-Ma was a right-of-passage that was not only accepted, but appreciated, because she was the unquestioned cheerleader of her family that included grandson and two-time Rutgers basketball team captain Mike Williams Jr. With her support, Williams Jr. scored 1,093 points from 2014-18 before earning a degree in criminal justice with a minor in labor and employment relations.
A frequent spectator at the Rutgers Athletic Center, Bishop Loughlin's Memorial High School Gymnasium and the Brevoort Housing Project courts, Eva delivered her cheers in a manner definitively G-Ma.
"She was always at my games with my mom and dad," said Williams Jr. "It meant a lot. She was the only person who wouldn't scream. She just sat and watched but understood everything. She would say 'I'm here for support, so I'm not going to go all crazy like your mother, or your aunt, or your dad. I don't have time for that, and you don't need that."
Eva passed away on Wednesday, April 1, at the age of 72 at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn from pneumonia. Whether or not COVID-19 contributed to her passing is uncertain, as her family did not receive confirmation of a testing result. The pandemic's distancing protocols, however, made an already difficult experience even more distressing and complicated.
"I was able to speak with her, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to see her," said Williams Jr., who had just returned after competing for the Hemel Storm in Britain's Division I National Basketball League. "Things were going crazy and there was social distancing. Having arrived from London, I couldn't do anything that might elevate the risk."
Eva Eyvonne Johnson was born on January 25, 1948 in Sumter, South Carolina, before moving with her family to Brooklyn. A graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School, she earned two degrees, an associate degree in applied science from Kingsboro Community College and a bachelor of the arts in urban sociology from the City College of New York. She spent more than 40 years in civil service, working as director of special events and a center manager with the New York City Departments of Parks and Recreation. Eva was recognized as New York City's Employee of the Month four times.
More important, Eva was genuine and generous to the many who often asked her advice and counsel. She followed in the footsteps of her mother and served as a stewardess at Calvary Fellowship AME Church. In addition to her love of family and games, she enjoyed swimming, travelling and reading. Her love of books is shared by her daughter Lizette, Mike's mother, an elementary school teacher at PS21 in Brooklyn.
"G-Ma was quiet, easy-going and loved her family," said Williams Jr. "Whatever I needed, she was always there. Before I went to England, she had a Facebook account, but not Twitter or Instagram. When she learned that she could vote for me for awards over there using social media, she signed up for all of them."
Williams Jr. was one of five players named to Britain's NBL Division I Team of the Year an April 10. Fan voting via social media contributed to the selections and began in March. Thank you again G-Ma.
Players Mentioned
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