John Johnson, Jr.

John Edward Johnson, Jr.

Hephzibah, GA  – John Edward Johnson, Jr, 85, loving husband of 40 yrs to Edith Anderson Johnson, entered into rest Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Hopeful Baptist Church in Blythe with Rev. Greg Glover officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Born to the late Kathleen Johnstone Johnson and the late John Edward Johnson, John lived all his life in this area, served his country in the Navy, Army and Reserves, retired from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Dept, as well as owned and operated Johnson Awning Company for 25 years. He was a member of Masons George Walton Lodge # 699 and of Hopeful Baptist Church where he served his Lord and Savior faithfully. He loved to “ride”, preferably on his motorcycle, boat, tractor or horse, as well as “piddle” around the house. John was a devoted family man who found great joy in his family and friends.

Other survivors include his eight children, Gerald Hutto (April), John Ed Johnson III, Rhonda Holshouser (Dennis), Rebecca Rogers (Bryan), Delores Brown (David), Sabrina Crosby (Michael), Mark Johnson (Carson) and Michael Johnson (Gale); three siblings, Walter Johnson (Carolyn), Connie Mills (Stanley) and Nancy Weeks (Earl); twelve grandchildren, Kristin Sanders (J.D.), Matthew Holshouser, Joseph Holshouser, Johnnie Sanchez, Colby Sanchez, Brandon Hutto, Nathan Hutto, Megan Rogers, Allison Rogers, Kaleigh Crosby and two others; 5 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.  Serving as pallbearers will be Terry Anderson, David Brown, Michael Crosby, Dennis Holshouser, Matthew Holshouser, Gerald Hutto, John Ed Johnson III and J. D. Sanders. The Masons will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home this evening, Friday, September 20, 2013 from 6:00-9:00PM.
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To Those Whom I Love

When I am gone, release me and let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that I have had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It is only for a while that we must part
So cherish the memories in your heart.

I will not be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can not see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear.

Then, when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home”.

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