Roy Johnson was born in Maxey, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Whit Johnson. He received his early eduction in Maxeys, Georgia and Athens, Georgia. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High in Atlanta, Georgia in 1938. Roy was drafted into the army in 1942 and served in the Air Corps during World War II. He was honorably discharged after three and a half years as a Staff Sargent in the Quarter Master Division. He attended the Blayton School of Accounting in Atlanta and graduated in 1954. Roy was a warehouse manager at Scott Foresman Publishing Company for 30 years, retired in 1977. He was also a part-time real-estate agent for 25 years with J.T. Bickers Realty Company on Auburn Ave. in Atlanta.

Beatrice Drake was born in Greensboro, Georgia in 1921 to Alfred and Martha Drake. Beatrice and Roy moved to the Atlanta area a different ages of their lives, but both settled in Old Fourth Ward community. They were married in 1941. Beatrice graduated from David T. Howard Evening School in 1945 and then attended Reid Business College where she graduated with honors in 1948. Beatrice's professional career included several years as a secretary in the manufacturing industry, in production with the Perfect Belt Company and as a technician and supervisor at the Wilen Manufacturing Company.

After the couple were married, they joined Mount Zion Second Baptist Church under the late Reverend Emory R. Searcy, Sr. They were members of the church for over 60 years. During that time, Roy and Beatrice were both very active in the church. They both served on the following organizations: Queen of Roses Committee, the J.T.D. Choir and Ward Five where Roy served as secretary for 16 years. In addition, Roy was the financial Secretary of the Trustee Board. Beatrice was also active in The Courtesy Guild and the Women's Day Committee.

The couple purchased land in Southwest Atlanta in the Mozley Park community in 1954. The area had been recently opened to black homeowners as a result of legal challenges to segregation. The Johnsons built a home on Chicamauga Avenue where they lived with their two sons Roy Michael and Jeffrey Wendell.

Beatrice cared for Roy during a lengthy illness until his transition in 1997. Beatrice made her transition in 2008. The couple are interned in Atlanta's Westview Cemetery about 1 mile from where the family lived for over 65 years.