Dennis Nolen Johnson, age 86 of Franklin, TN, passed away February 28, 2018. Longtime Franklin resident. As a young man, he worked at Thurman Grocery and Gray Drug Company. Veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served as Staff Sgt. As a radar specialist during the Korean Conflict. Graduate of Franklin High School. Received his B.S. Degree and Masters of Education from Middle Tennessee State University. He taught junior high science at Spring Hill High School for twenty two years. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling out west with his wife to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and other favorite spots. He had a great love for music including blues and traditional country music. While traveling, he and his wife spent many hours listening and singing along with tapes and CD’s. In later years, spent time enjoying grandchildren and great grandchildren. Founding member and song leader at Franklin Primitive Baptist Church and attended Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church. Preceded in death by parents, Phillip and Florence Jennette Johnson; sisters, Ruth Johnson Rutledge and Melba Johnson Brown; grandson, Joseph Ryan Case. Survived by: wife of 57 years, Carolyn Powers Johnson; daughters, Denise (Jeff) Case and Debbie (Clif) Butner; grandchildren, Christen (Brad) Abernathy, Ellie (James) Herpeche, Abbey Butner and Patrick Butner; great grandchildren, Riley, Sam and Hayden Abernathy and Burke Herpeche. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 PM Saturday, March 3, 2018, Rev. Sally Hughes officiating. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Clif Butner, Patrick Butner, Brad Abernathy, James Herpeche, Mike Ensche, Stan Murrey, Kenneth Smith, Stacey Turner and Paul Berger. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby T. Ladd, Grady and Alice Gaskill, Betty Jean Marlin, Eloise Waymon, Dr. Richard Lane and Dr. Patrick Murphy. The family wants to extend their appreciation to the staff and volunteers of Alive Hospice and staff and medical team at NHC Place at Cool Springs. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 143, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203. Visitation will be 5-8PM Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615 794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com
