Mr. James Howard Johnson went home to be with the Lord on December 2, 2017 at the South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, GA. Howard was born in Alma, Georgia on May 6, 1944. He was the son of the late James Howard Johnson, Sr. and Grace Mattox Johnson. He grew up in the Forks of the Hurricane, Pierce County, Georgia. He graduated from Blackshear High School in 1962. He attended South Georgia College in Douglas for a short period of time. He was employed by Southern Bell Telephone in 1966 and retired from Bell South Telephone in 2002. He had been a farmer in his younger days. He loved to drive a tractor and even participated in Tractor Pullings for a few years. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many days with his fishing buddies. He was a Christian and was a member of College Avenue Baptist Church since 1985. He enjoyed doing maintenance work around the church until his health would not allow him to work. He served on several committees doing service for the Lord. Howard had a very compassionate heart and was concerned about people in need or who needed a helping hand to accomplish their goals.
He is preceded in death by: his parents: James Howard and Grace M Johnson; a brother, Andrew Jackson Johnson; grandchildren: Gracelyn Noel Dyal and Cameron Hunter Purvis.
He is survived by: his loving wife of over 33 years Geraldine Sears Johnson; daughters: Marcia Lynn Johnson Dyal (Lee), Sherree Talene Moore Cordero (Robert), Mitchel Monroe Moore (Cindy); step-son, Gary Dewayne Purvis (Donna); grandchildren: Jeremy Lee Dyal (Morgan), Jordan James Dyal, Jennifer Lee Moore, James Monroe Johnson (Jessica); step-grandchildren: Michael Lee Purvis (Audrey), Jake Daniel Purvis (fiance’ Hannah); great-grandchild, Kyrie Rayne Johnson; step-great-grandchildren: Alyssa Purvis, Kaylee Purvis, Travis Wagner, Brooke Coleman; sister, Lou Ella Johnson Miller (David); brother, Carl Milton Johnson; and many many cousins and friends.
Funeral was held at College Avenue Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 11 a.m. Burial followed at Satilla Memorial Gardens.
Active Pallbearers: Jeremy Dyal, Jordan Dyal, James Johnson, Michael Purvis,Jake Purvis, Eric Snipes and James Sears. Honorary Pallbearers, Benny Carter, Johnny Spell, Dan Boatright, W. B. Merritt, along with his Sunday School class, Larry Hutchison, Willie Burch, David Roberson, Russell Collins, Harry Griffin and Jerry Eldridge.