Charles James Johnson Sr., 89, made his transition on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, at his home in Florence, Alabama. He was born in Lauderdale County, the seventh of 17 children to the late Robert and Mattie Lou Johnson, on June 27, 1926.
He confessed Christ and was baptized at an early age. He united with Rock Primitive Baptist Church, Florence, Alabama. He was a faithful member and served as deacon and a member of the Rock Male Chorus.
Later, he joined the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. He was employed with Tennessee Valley Authority and retired after 45 years of service. He was a member of Labor Local No. 366.
He married the love of his life, and was preceded in death by her, Leila Rebecca Koger Johnson.
He leaves to cherish his memory seven sons and one daughter, Charlie Jr. (Zethelyn), Florence, Alabama, Harrison (Janet), Harvest, Alabama, Jessie, Florence, Alabama, Randall, Madison, Alabama, James Otis Thompson, Toledo, Ohio, Dalton Thompson (Florida),Harvest, Alabama, Carlton Lewis, Atlanta, Georgia, and Tabace Burns, Knoxville, Tennessee; two devoted sisters, Margaret Stewart, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Jennie Cole (Funrow Jr.), Bellwood, Illinois; four sisters-in-law, Eliza Rowell, St. Paul, Minnesota, Betty Johnson, Bellwood, Illinois, Elizabeth Koger, Detroit, Michigan, Lucy Koger, Detroit, Michigan; and one brother-in-law, Alcean Simpson Sr., Florence, Alabama.
He has 20 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing is today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Grace Memorial Funeral Home, Sheffield.
Funeral services are Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, noon, at Grace Memorial Funeral Home, Sheffield.
Interment is in Rock Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Florence.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to North Alabama Sickle Foundatio rendered by Grace Memorial Funeral Home, Sheffield.
