Jesse Earl Johnson, Sr., was born October 6, 1935, to the union of Joseph & Corrine Johnson in Dallas County, a small town call Minter, Alabama, which is located outside of Selma, Alabama. Deacon Johnson received his wings on April 26, 2018, at Madison Hospital in Madison, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, the love of his life, Clara Hamilton, two sons, Reverend Leon Clay and Jesse Johnson, Jr., two brothers, Joe Johnson and Sak Daddy Johnson.
Deacon Johnson accepted Christ at an early age after moving to Birmingham. He worked at Hannah Steel Corporation for over 30 years until his retirement in 1995. Deacon Johnson was a dedicated deacon and member of Ephraim Temple Apostolic Church, under the leadership of the late Reverend Carolyn (Clarence) Davis.
All who knew him, knew him as a man with wisdom and a whole lot of knowledge. He would help anyone during their time of need, while fussing along the way, giving advice and offering a knuckle sandwich with the promise to do right. He was always ready to play a good hand game of chess and tonk.
Deacon Johnson undeniable love for cars was an under statement. Cars for him were not only a hobby but also his passion. He could fix anything and if he didn’t know how, he knew exactly where to send you to get the job done right and for a reasonable price.
He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading the Bible and listening to some good old time gospel music such as: The Mississippi Mass Choir, Shirley Caesar, The Williams Brothers, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Keith Pringle and The Pentecostal CC, The Georgia Mass Choir and Walter Hawkins just to name a few. Deacon Johnson was one who had love for his family and for God. He spoke his mind, enjoyed talking about the good old days, and his favorite season of the year was summer.
God knows he would sit outside from sun up to sun down on a nice summer day with a hot barbeque sandwich, watermelon and cold Sprite. As we all know, death leaves us with mixed feelings. You’re sad that your loved one is no longer with you, but you you’re also happy that they are no longer suffering.
We thank God Deacon Johnson left in peace and with his heart and mind right with Jesus. Deacon Johnson leaves behind five sons: Joe (Ada) Clay, Bobbie Lee (Sandra) Clay, Earnest (Sara) Files, Jackie Clay, Willie Frierson; four daughters: Sherry Davis, Annie Tremble, Minister Lynda (Bubba) Thomas, Tanga Temple; five sisters: Zula Slaughter, Eula Johnson, Deloris Wilson, Bessie Johnson, Hattie (Luvell) Lewis; three brothers: Robert Lee, Henry Lee & Luther Johnson; forty-one grandchildren, forty great grands; A special blessing to Zula Slaughter, sister, of Irondale, Alabama, who took care of him for 20 years, while ensuring his medical and physical needs were met and belly was full before handing the torch to his granddaughter, Sherry (Don) Havard of Madison, Alabama.
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