James Edwin Johnson, 88, passed away at his home in Trinity, Alabama on March 25, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Shelton’s Funeral Home, Decatur, Alabama, with Pastor Jamin Grubbs, Pastor Danny Gibson, and Pastor Chris Godbee leading the service. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
James was born in Decatur, Alabama to O.E. Johnson and Jennie Stell Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Boyles Johnson and his 4 children, Jimmy Johnson (Bernice), Mike Johnson (Elise), Tina Gibson (Danny), and Bryan Johnson. His grandchildren Vandy Sharp (David), Maranda Johnson, Christina Crenshaw (Andrew), April Gladney, Derrick Gibson (Selina), Tori Hazel (Justin), Sadie Tuttle (Austin), and Sam Johnson. His great grandchildren MaKayla, David “Bean”, Dawson, Kobe, Addy, Andrew, Sarah, Laura, Michael III, Zeb, Sierra, Alana, Valarie, Johnson Kate, Eliza and one great great granddaughter, Marcie.
He is also survived by his stepchildren, Freida Johnson (Ken), Cindy Kirby (Mikie), Kristy Haraway, Joel Boyles (Christine), Anita Boyles, Danny Boyles, Eddie Boyles (Tina). His step grandchildren Catherine, William, Wheeler, Zach, Mack, Logan and their families.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Oates Edwin Johnson and Jennie Stell Johnson; his first wife, Sadie Ruth Shelton Johnson; his second wife, Sara Buttrum Johnson; two grandsons, Scott Johnson and Michael Johnson, Jr.; his siblings, Roy Johnson, Doris Pittman, Martha Sparkman, Louise Allen, Bertha Holtzclaw and Beulah Crow; his stepson Mike Boyles.
James was raised in the “Mill Village” where he made lifelong friends and he was a proud Decatur High Red Raider. He moved to Michigan as a young man to work in the automotive industry but later returned to Decatur to raise his family. He worked for the Worthington Corporation, then Airco Industrial Gas and retired from Keystone Laboratories. James enjoyed reunions with his classmates as well his friends from the “Mill Village” and the crew from Worthington.
He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and also considered himself family at Smyrna Baptist Church. James loved spending time with his family and friends and he never met a stranger. He loved telling corny jokes, loved fishing, fishing and fishing, and loved watching Alabama football!
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for the wonderful care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Gideon International, or The Salvation Army.
