Rev. James Earl Johnson, Jr., 83, of Newport News, VA passed away pencefully, after a spirited battle with health issues. He was lovingly cared for and supported by his youngest son, Timothy Johnson, during the last

months of his life.

Our father affectionately known as "Junie" was born in Prince Edward County, VA on January 13, 1940. He was the son of Deacon James "Earl" Johnson, Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church, and his beloved mother, Annie Mae Johnson, and grew up a farmer's son. He accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized, and became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

He attended Russell Grove High School in Amelia County, VA. He married Dorothy Elizabeth Stewart in December 1960, and they were blessed with four children. He spent his adult life serving God, living, working, and supporting his wife, and children.

Junie and Dorothy joined and attended Galilee Baptist Church in Newport News, VA where he was ordained a Baptist minister on July 31, 1977. He served as one of the church's Associate Pastors, a Sunday School superintendent, and a Vacation Bible school teacher. He was well respected for his honesty, diligence, hard work, friendliness, wisdom, and always willing to lend a helping hand to others.

His favorite pastimes were reading the Bible, encouraging others to seek God's love and salvation, and gardening vegetables. He worked at the Newport News shipyard from 1960 until retiring in 2000 over 40 years later. In retirement, he enjoyed an active life of farming land on his tractors in Tidewater. He enjoyed the company of family members and friends.

Junie is preceded in death by his father, James Earl Johnson, Sr., and mother, Annie Mae (Tucker) Johnson; 4 brothers, Patrick Johnson, William Tucker, Spencer Johnson, George "Sunny" Johnson, and 3 sisters, Rose Thompson, Lessie Mae Simms; and Susie West; and his daughter, Gail L. (Johnson) Rushing.

Left to cherish his priceless memories are his two sisters, Nanny Parsley of Salem, NJ, and Patsy Evans of Burkeville,

VA; brother,

Wallace Johnson of Burkeville, VA; daughter, Josephine (Josie) A.

Gilbert, Colorado Springs, CO; sons, Waverly A. Johnson, Lorton, VA, and Timothy L. Johnson, Hampton, VA; granddaushters, Rosanna Drumgoole, Atlanta, GA; Teisha Johnson, Williamsburg, VA; Cherelle Rushing, Newport News VA; Jasmine Gilbert, Colorado Springs; grandsons, Monte Johnson, Newport News, Va.;

Jamar Johnson, Atlanta, GA; Phillip Johnson, Lorton, VA; Aaron Johnson, Lorton, VA.; and daughter-in-law, Rochell Johnson, Lorton, VA; and 17 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.