Earnest Johnson

JOHNSON, Deacon Earnest - Age 93, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 4805 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m., Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr., officiating. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Wednesday. Dea. Johnson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Earnest Johnson journey on this road of life began September 28, 1915 in Roanoke, Alabama, the son of Mr. Will Johnson and Alzater (Edmondson) Johnson. Earnest attended Randolph County Training School in Roanoke, Alabama. He married Jaylen (Brady) Johnson in 1940, to this union six children were born. Mr. Johnson gave his life to Christ at an early age. He was ordained to the Deacon Ministry at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church in Roanoke, Alabama, under the leadership of Rev. C.L. Terry. He served in the United States Navy and received an Honorable Discharge in 1945. Deacon Johnson, his wife and their six children relocated to Flint, Michigan in 1953. He and his entire family united with the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in 1954. Having been ordained, he was appointed to the Deacon Ministry of Mt. Calvary, where he served faithfully until his health failed. Deacon Johnson loved his Adult Sunday School Class, not only did he attend Sunday School, he brought his children and his grandchildren along with him. If they were ready, he would pick them up. Deacon Johnson and his wife provided a home for many, many nieces and nephews as they migrated from the south. They all knew they could stay with Uncle Earnest and Aunt Jay until they found jobs and was able to move out on their own. It was understood that if you lived in Uncle Earnest’s house, you had to attend Uncle Earnest’s church. He loved his church family dearly. He was one of the few Deacons who went with the Mission ladies to visit the sick and shut-in. Deacon Johnson worked as a press operator at the dry cleaners in the morning and then he worked security at the United States Post Office in the afternoon, retiring in 1978. He leaves to cherish his memory: devoted wife of 69 years, Mrs. Jaylen Johnson; 3 sons, Donald (Diane) Johnson, Larry W. (Aretha) Johnson and James D. Johnson; 3 daughters, Earnestine Todd, Christine Johnson, all of Flint and Marjorie (Johnny) Read of Alpharetta, GA; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bell Hardy of Philadelphia, PA; cousin, Myrna (Grover) Kirkland of Flint; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends. Deacon Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Alzater Johnson; and brother, William Oscar Johnson. The family would like to express special thanks to his caregivers for their daily attention to his needs, to the staff of Hurley Medical Center CCU and 9 east units, Pastor Fuller and the Mt. Calvary Church family.

Earnest Johnson

September 28, 1915 - August 18, 2009