John Henry Johnson Sr.

John Henry Johnson Sr. was born December 14, 1948 to Willie Mae and Willie Johnson.  Reared in Coahoma County, Mississippi, John was the 10th of 15 children.  His family called him "Donnie."  

John enjoyed a loving but strict childhood.  His parents stressed the value of hard work and serving God.  As a child, he accepted and worshiped every Sunday at Saint James Church of God in Christ.  A student of the Coahoma Public Schools, John graduated from Coahoma Agricultural High School in 1968.

John was the proud father of ten beautiful children: Yolandam Kisha, John Jr., Sheoashie, O'Ki; Donnica, Falon, Taurean, Tavaris and St. John.

John worked hard throughout his lifetime.  As a boy he chopped cotton and went on to work at Delta Oil Mill in Clarksdale.  He had a long career at Wonder Bread.  After the bakery factory closed, John worked as a driver for a community service agency that provided transportation for people going to medical appointments.

In his downtime, John listened to music and traveled the roads in the rural Mississippi Delta.  He was also an awesome cook.

John liked spending time with his loved ones and friends.  He has a great sense of humor and enjoyed using colorful language.  After a spirited battle, he passed away on April 11, 2020.  He was preceded in death by his son, Tavaris Donte, and his siblings; Annie Gooden, Alberta Bullock and Andrew Johnson.

A memorial was held Friday April 17, 2020 at Royal Funeral Home from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

John will continue to live through his children; Yolanda (Joe) Adams of Milwaukee, WI, Kisha (Kevin) Glover of Gary, IN, John (Shariah) Johnson Jr. of Charlotte, NC, Sheoshie Johnson of Jackson, MS, O'Ki Johnson of Jackson, MS, St. John (Tina) Ratliff of Charlotte, NC, Jacqueline (Kevin) Price of Chicago, IL, Donnica Leonard of Southaven, MS, Falon Leonard of Clarkdale, MS and Taurean Leonard of Clarksdale, MS.  He is alson survived by his siblings; Ruth Jackson of Memphis, TN, Ethel Evans of Paris, TN, Bernice Hayward of Memphis, TN, Josephine Robinson of Memphis, TN, Beatrice Harris of St. Louis, MO, Mary Ballot of Paris, TN, Willie Johnson Jr. of Paris, TN, Lee Bret of Memphis, TN, Charles Johnson of Memphis, TN, Shirley Perkins of Paris, TN and Melvin Johnson of Memphis, TN; 42 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends who loved him dearly.

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