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A native of Elk Creek in Grayson County, Octavia Johnson has called the Roanoke Valley home since 1976. The daughter of George and Alice Johnson, she is the fifth of seven children, four girls and three boys. Octavia's parents worked hard to support their family. Mr. Johnson worked at a cotton mill and later at a factory that produced screws. Mrs. Johnson helped to make ends meet by cleaning houses and selling her homemade baked goods.
As a child, Octavia attended Independence Elementary Colored School, a two-room school that housed grades one through seven and was heated by a pot-bellied stove. After Grayson County's schools were integrated in 1965, Octavia completed her elementary education at Elk Creek Elementary School. She went on to attend Independence High School, where she was a basketball and football cheerleader and a flag girl for the marching band.
After graduation, Octavia continued her education at Wytheville Community College earning an Associates of Applied Science degree in Police Science. Her interest in law enforcement began there, and she also completed work for certificates in Law Enforcement and Corrections.
Octavia relocated to Roanoke, Virginia in 1976. The following year, she was employed as a teacher's aide working with children who had learning disabilities in the Roanoke City Schools. In 1979, she began her service as Deputy with the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office. While serving with the department, Octavia completed certification training in Basic Jailor and Courtroom Security and Basic Law Enforcement. In 2004 Octavia retired with 25 years of dedicated service spanning the jail, court services and civil process.
Octavia maintains active interests within our community. Stage Manager for the 2005 NAACP Citizens Awards she has worked in theatre productions with Showtimers, Virginia Western Community College, One Above Productions and has even appeared on film as an extra in the movie In a Shallow Grave. Octavia is a board member for the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization, Inc. and for McMillian Ministries MAPS Women's Conference. Octavia is also a member of the following organizations: Roanoke Republican Women, Roanoke City Republican Committee, NAACP, Joy Bell Council and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Octavia is married to Mark K. Neese, a Lieutenant with the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office. Octavia and Mark make their home in the Jefferson Hills area of Roanoke City.