Elder John J. Johnson Sr.

February 9, 2021

Elder John J. Johnson Sr. was born to the late Reverend Asey Johnson and Bertha Lee Small in Swifton, Arkansas on March 19, 1944. He was the oldest boy of nine children. His family moved to Ruskins, Fl. and then finally settled in the Pensacola area. He attended school in Escambia County.

After completing high school, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served 5 years in various duty stations. Most notably he served in Vietnam, Korea and Germany. During his service, he earned the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He incurred an injury to his back and right leg during a parachute jump. He was then honorably discharged in 1970.

He worked for Escambia County in the capacity of a Refuge Control Officer. He also worked many years as a Heavy Equipment Specialist. He later owned and operated Success in Friends Diversified Services, specializing in transportation and individual income tax preparation.

In 1970, John met the love of his life, Loretta Walton Bathay and they were united in Holy Matrimony on November 10, 1972.

He received three commissions, the 3rd one with Ward’s Temple AFM Church of God under the leadership of Bishop Donice Brown where he remained until his passing. As an elder, his passion for ministry led him to serve his church and the community in any capacity he could.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Asey Johnson and Bertha Lee Small, siblings Cora Lee Johnson, Victor Johnson and Lena Averhart and grandson Julius Johnson-Rich.
He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving wife Loretta Johnson, son Stuart M. Johnson of Hillsborough, North Carolina, son Julius C. (Simone) Rich of Slidell, Louisiana, son John J. Johnson Jr. of Pensacola, Florida, godson Kenneth (Zelma) Clarke of Anchorage, Alaska and goddaughter Rosie (Troy) Williams of Atlanta, Georgia. He was a loving grandfather to grandsons Scorpio White, Justin (Bianca) Johnson-Rich, Caleb Klag and to great grandchildren: Grace, Amia, Jayden and Jashiah. Additionally, he is survived by siblings Francis Dixon of Atlanta, Georgia, Bertha Simpson of Pensacola, Florida, Shirley Huff of Pensacola, Florida, Ernestine (Herman) Broughton of Pensacola Florida and Ruth Walker, of Tampa, Florida. A special sister Dorothy Underwood Simmons. Brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Lois Madison, Patsy Craft, Brenda (Thomas) Casey, Betty Hogans, Gerry (Russell) Hinds, Alice (Paul) Everett, Jerry (Miriam) Hale, Thomas (Vanessa) Hale, Veronica Albert, Zethie Hale, Elizabeth Hale, Timothy (Aletha) Hale and Johnnie (Bonnie) Walton. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as Ward’s Temple family and friends, with life-long friends, Jack and Ruth Butler.

Funeral services to be held at 11:30am on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bishop Donice Brown officiating.

Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.

The family will receive friends from 3PM to 5PM on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Ward’s Temple AFM Church of God Widow’s Fund at: P.O. Box 941, Cantonment, FL, 32533

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries