Johnson, Mr. Joseph, 74, a resident of Valley, AL and former resident of Lanett and LaFayette, AL died Tuesday, October 4, 2011 in East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, AL.
His Homegoing Celebration is scheduled for Monday, October 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. from Davis Memorial Mortuary Chapel, Valley, AL, Minister Lemuel Cox, Eulogist and Minister Billie Cox, Officiant.
He lived 74 years, but he was born again in December 2009 when he encountered Christ at the crossroads between life and death. Sure we have memories of days gone by, but these last two years of getting to know him as God's new creation are priceless to us. You would have loved knowing him this way. We wish you could have witnessed his thirst for God, or heard how he longed for a church home where members would come for a visit, to pray, read the word or just to sit a little while. He found hope and strength listening to the recorded sermons of Pastor Eric Lee, Bishop T.D. Jakes, his daughter Billie and many television evangelists. Oh, how he loved listening to Lee Williams sing praises to God, his favorites were "Cooling Water" and "I'm On My Way."
He cherished "his girls" as he affectionately called us. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a delight to him. He called them all "boy" even though there are more girls than boys. He had special pet names like Squatty, Scoot, Dre, Shang and Boot. Boot he used interchangeably for us all depending on who was going in the kitchen and who was going to the store so he could get his lemonade. And our mom, we can almost hear him calling her "Dessa" as he has almost every day for 47 years. His favorite question was "where's my wife?" As if he knew he was leaving us, he gave her his cell phone enroute to the hospital, making her promise to keep it. Their strange love affair continued even in his last hours with us. He enjoyed being outside, sometimes just to sit on the porch was enough for him. He loved to cook and go fishing. He was looking forward to fishing in the lake at Lochwolde with Jeff and Annie Terrell. He didn't make it there, but perhaps he's fishing from Heaven's shores. That's our dad.
His survivors include: his wife of 47 years, Rodessa Johnson, Lanett, AL; daughters, Angela (Donta) Shears, Valley, AL and Minister Billie (Minister Lemuel) Cox, Covington, GA; grandchildren, Jendayia Todd, Lanett, AL, Trimecia Boyd, Greensboro, NC, Minister Remondre (Jakayla) Boyd, Charleston, SC and Adonta Shears, Valley, AL; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Christine Bailey and Magarene Johnson both of East Point, GA and Patricia Johnson, Monroe, GA; brothers, Joe Lee Johnson, East Point, GA, Horace Johnson, Lithonia, GA and Milford Johnson, Jersey City, NJ; aunt Jannie Benton, LaFayette, AL; uncle, Joe L. Moore, Detroit, MI; sisters-in-law, Priscilla Johnson, East POint, GA and Patricia Ann Smith, LaFayette, AL; special nephew, Deacon Chris Johnson, Monroe, GA; and, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Public Viewing is scheduled for Sunday, October 9, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Davis Memorial Mortuary Chapel, 305 W. F. Burns Drive, Valley, AL 36854.
Professional services provided by Davis Memorial Mortuary Inc. in Valley Alabama. http://davismemorialmortuary.com