Joseph Erskin Johnson, 94, died Thursday, August 8, 2019, in Lewisburg following a brief illness. Born in the Clay Hill community of Marshall County near what is now Henry Horton State Park, he was the sixth of the sixteen children of William Randall “Wish” and Mary Lucille Johnson. Joe attended Hill Grove School in Chapel Hill and earned his diploma from the eighth grade in 1939. He graduated from Lewisburg High School on May 7, 1943.

Joe married Gloria Marie Dangerfield on August 14, 1948, and they were proud parents of five children. After 47 years of marriage, Gloria preceded Joe in death in December 1995. In addition, son William Fredrick and grandson Glen predeceased him.

Joe devoted his time to his faith, his family, and his work. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. Over the years Joe served as deacon, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, as well as general contractor and handyman at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. He loved the fact that for years he could look around the sanctuary and see at least four generations of Johnsons.

Until his retirement in 1991, Joe worked at Heil Quaker/ Inter-City Products in Lewisburg for “41 years, six months, two days and 25 minutes.” Throughout the years, Joe honed his skills and took on carpentry and handyman jobs to supplement his income.

Joe leaves to cherish his memory sons Mitchell (Cecelia) of Franklin, TN, Dennis of Lewisburg, TN, Boyce (Kimberland) of Tyler, TX, and daughter Regina Raye of Antioch, TN; daughters-in-law Judy Adams and Kathy Johnson of Lewisburg, TN; sisters Eileen French of Philadelphia, PA, Melinda Grant of Nashville, TN, Virginia Jones and Geraldine Moore of Cleveland, OH; brothers-in-law George Dangerfield (Jean) and Artria Dangerfield of Dayton, OH; grandchildren Monica G. Johnson, Rosalyn J. Hannah (Royce), B. Matthew Johnson (Jennifer), A. Quinn Raye, Secily M. Raye, Spencer T. Johnson, and Serenity M. Johnson; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family received friends on Monday, August 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 4011 Nashville Highway, Lewisburg, TN. Joe’s body will lie in state from 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, August 13, at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church where the memorial service will begin at noon with Rev. David McConnell officiating, followed by interment in Middleview Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Please note, “In remembrance of Joe Johnson.” Last rites have been entrusted to Anderson Funeral Home.