Celebration of Life for Alfred E. Johnson, Homegoing Service, Friday, June 10, 2005, 11:00 A.M., St. James A.M.E. Church, Monticello, Georgia, Rev. Donna Marie Calix, Pastor

6?~
@~~~ 10~ 2005
11 .- oooYI.oft.
6ft. ~(!4 QY{.oft~. ~ ~tio~8f~ia
f?liev .PlJ~ ~e ~akr; ~ P?~

Alfred at 83 Years Young

When tomorrow starts without me, and fJ'm not there to see;
?{the sun shou(drise and_findyour eyes a((_fi(fedwith tears for me;
fJ wish so much you wou(dn't cry the way you did today,
of whife thinking the many things we didn't get to say.
fJ know how much you (ove me, as much as fJ (ove you,
of andeach time you think me fJ know you'C( miss me too;
'But when tomorrow starts without me, y(ease try to understand, that an ange( came andca((edmy name andtook me Gy the hand,
andsaid my y(ace was ready in heaven far aGove, andthat fJ'd have to (eave 6ehind a(( those fJ dear(y Cove.
'But as fJ turned to wa(k away, a tearfeC(_from my eye, for a(( Cife, fJ'd a(ways thought fJ didn't want to die.
fJ hadso much to (ive for andso much yet to do, it seemeda(most imyossiG(e that fJ was feaving you.
of fJ thought a(( the yesterdays, the good ones andthe Gad, of fJ thought a((the Cove we shared and a(( the fun we had.
?[ fJ cou(d refive yesterday, fJ thought, justfor awhife,
fJ'd say good6ye and kiss you and mayGe see you smife. 'But then fJ JuC(y reafizedthat this cou(dnever Ge,
of for emytiness andmemories wou(dtake the y(ace me. of ~ndwhen fJ thought wor(d(y things that fJ'd miss come tomorrow, of fJ thought you, andwhen fJ die{, my heart was fi((ed with sorrow.
'But when fJ wa(ked through heaven's gates, fJ feCt so much at home. When od Cooked down andsmifedat me, from ms great go(den throne,
'1-fe said, "rThis is eternity anda(( fJ've yromisedyou".
rToday for Cife on earth is yast Gut here it starts anew. fJ yromise no tomorrow, Gut today wi(( a(ways (ast,
andsince each day's the same day, there's no (onging for the yast. 'But you have Geen so faithju(, so trusting, andso true.
rThough there were times you did some things you knew you shou(dn't do.
'But you have Geen forgiven and now at Cast you're free. So won't you take my handandshare my Cife with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far ayart,
of for every time you think me, fJ'm right here in your heart.

l

b : David M. Romano

*Processional. ................................"To God Be the Glory" .................................. AMEC Hymn# 21
* Hymn of Praise ............... "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name" ....................St. James A.M.E. Mass Choir Bros. Dewayne Pinkney and Howard Smith Musicians
Prayer ........ .............. ... .................................... .............. ... .... .. ...... .....Minister Merchell Belinfanti New Fellowship Covenant Church-Decatur, Georgia
Solo ...... ........................................ "Because of who you are" .......................................... Joseph Garvey
Holy Scripture Readings: Old Testament Lesson, Psalms 103 .......... ..................... .................. ... ..........Mr. Valton Barrett New Testament Lesson, 1 Corinthians 15: 51 -55 ............................................Mr. Thomas Whidby
Anthem..........................................."The Lord is My Light" ...................St. James A.M.E. Mass Choir
Words of Comfort. ...................................................................................Mrs. Lillie Bell Standifer
Tributes: Mrs. Stacey Standifer Mr. Floyd Reid Mr. Danny Norris
Solo .............. ........................................................................................................... Mrs. Karen Lewis
Musical Medley .... .................................Some of Daddy's Favorites ...................Obituary Read Silently "Amazing Grace"
"Center of My Joy" "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
"God is Not Dead"
Eulogy................................................................................................Minister Donna Marie Calix Pastor St. James A,M.E. Church
*Recessional ....... ............... ..... ....... .. ................................ .................... ..... . ....... . ..."I' ll Fly Away"
*Worshippers are invited to stand, as they are able

September 9 ) 192 1 1"'-.J June 5) 2005

{t?h September 9, 1921 God Sent Alfred Edwin Johnson into this world to do His work and impact the lives of many people.
Alfred Edwin Johnson was born to Elizabeth and Isaac Matthew Johnson in the Gladesville community of Jasper County, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Bertha Kate Boykins Johnson, in 1997. He was father to six children, Eddie Russell (Deborah) Johnson of Jonesboro, Jacquelyn Elizabeth(Oscar) Daniel of Atlanta, Alfred Matthew (Connie) Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska, Pamela Rochelle (William) Garvey of Decatur, Frederica Cadelle (Johnny) Hemphill of Washington, D.C. , and Troy Edwin (Michele) Johnson of Covington.
Affectionately known as "Bubba", Mr. Johnson was a lifelong resident of Monticello, Georgia. He was a pioneer in the community: the first African American policeman in Monticello; a federally recognized demolitions expert; and also Monticello 's first African American plumber and electrician. Mr. Johnson also served his community as a member of the Tax Equalization Board and was a landlord to many. As a member of St. James A.M.E. Church, Mr. Johnson served as a trustee , deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member. Mr. Johnson was also a 32nd Degree Prince Hall Mason.
A veteran of World War II, Mr. Johnson served in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines in the South Pacific as a medic in the U.S. Army 93rd Division. As a civilian, he retired from the Georgia Pacific Corporation in 1986 after over twenty years of service. Mr. Johnson will be missed by his six children, three daughters-in law and three sons-in-law, fourteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild and his siblings: Eula Pearson, Lois Wilson and Elizabeth Johnson of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Lorenzo Johnson and Troy Johnson of Monticello, Georgia.
Mr. Johnson had many hobbies. He enjoyed the life of a gentleman farmer, raising a few head of cattle, and growing watermelons, collard greens, scuppernongs, and muscadines . From his grapes, he made the smoothest, sweetest scuppernong and muscadine wine which was enjoyed at all of the family gatherings. All his neighbors looked forward to eating watermelons that he delivered from the back of his pickup truck. His flower garden, in which he worked tirelessly, was the envy of Benton Street. Away from the garden, Mr. Johnson also worked to cultivate the children of the community whom he loved. For more than 25 years, the Sunday school students always looked forward to the bags of fruit he provided at Christmas. He was also an active member of the Monticello chapter of AARP.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Johnson was a man of God , and a family man. He spent many days of his 83 years ... travelling to.. .enjoying... or coming from , some family member's wedding, birthday celebration, graduation, Baptistism, family reunion, holiday gatherings or just Sunday's dinner. If there was no special occasion that warranted his presence away from Monticelol on Sunday evenings, he would spend it having dinner with his two brothers and devoted sister-in law (Dorothy) enjoying a wonderful meal. .. which was special in itself.

June 5, 2005

"/have fought the goodfight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Sandra Carter Dorothy johnson Nona Mims Phyllis Norwoos
Tommy jackson Charlie McMichael GreoQory McMichael

juanita Norris Lottie Norris Cynthia Smith jacqueline Bell Smith
Harvey Pennamon Willie Charles Standifer Thomas Whidby

T~}owo/1/ FtU4diy w-Uiu to t:U:iowwu0~ wi:t:lv riner~_grafit:ude, to ~ uuucy ry~ utrr4 purom CIJW~
P..JUi every act of~r ~xprured by theirfielui. T/uy upedally ~to CIJYWef projowui t:luutJa to thb Euwry
Univerrity Horpital sbAfjjor ~ tMUj~f, ~r, deed P..JUi ilufirai:W/1/ tlw.,t wer~ ~xtended to ~ dw-Utj
~ illlrMr oftheir Loved o~.

Southview Cemetery Benton Street
Monticello, GeorQia
@t/na! ~~ a/J'td ~rurty&nenL6 ~dto.

Carl M Williams Funeral Directors, Inc.
"The Tradition Continues"
Carl M Williams & Carol T Williams
Licensed Funeral Directors & Embalmers 492 Larkins Street, S. W Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 522-8454- Fax (404) 522-5751

Smith and Sons Funeral Home
"The Smith Family Serving the Community for 50 Years"
Walter E. Smith
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
923 Funderburg Dr. Monticello, Georgia
(706) 468-6625

Program by Oscar Daniel, Alfred's Son-in-law oscard2@bellsouth.net (404) 753-8350

"PAGE 2-THE MONTICELLO NEWS, THURSDAY, juNE 9, 2005
Obituaries

Alfred Edwin Johnson

Funeral services for Alfred retired from the Georgia Pacific

Edwin Johnson, 83, will be held Corporation in 1986 after more

Friday, June 10 at . St. James than20yearsofservice.

A.M. E. Church in Monticello be- Mr. Johnson had many hobbies

ginning at 11 a.m. with burial to which included raising a few cattle,

follow. Wake services are sched- growing watermelons that neigh-

uled for today, June 9 at 7 p.m. at bors often could pick from the back

St. James A.M.E. Church.

of his truck, cultivating collard

He died June 5.

greens, scuppernongs and musca-

Mr. Johnson was born Septem- dines which he often used to make

ber 9, 1921 to Eliz.abeth and Isaac sweet wines for family gatherings.

Matthew Johnson in the Glades- When at home h~ was often spot-

ville community of Jasper County. ted tending to his flower garden and

Affectionately referred to as like his garden he worked to culti-

"Bubba," he was a lifelong resi- vate the children of the commu-

dent of Monticello who was also a nity. For more than 25 years, the

local pioneer. He was Monticello's St. James Sunday school students

first African-American policeman looked forward to his fruit bags at

and plumber/electric~an in addition Christmas.

to. being a federally recognized He was preceded in death by his

demolitions expert.

wife of 49 years, Bertha Kate

Mr. Johnson also served his com- Boykins Johnson, in 1997.

munity as a member of the Tax Survivors include six children,

Equalization Board. He served his Eddie Johnson of Jonesboro,

church as a trustee, deacon, Sun- Jacquelyn Daniel ofAtlan~, Alfred

day school teacher and choir mem- Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska,

ber' of St. James A.M. E. Church. Pamela Garvey of Decatur, Cadelle

Mr. Johnson was a 32nd Degree Hemphill of Washington, D. C, and

Prince Hall Mason and an active Troy Johnson of Covington; sib-

member of the Monticello chapter lings , Eula Pearson, Lois Wilson,

of the American Association of and Elizabeth Johnson of

Retiref] Persons (AARP).

. Bridgeton, New Jersey, Lorenzo

The \Vorld War ll veteran served Johnson and Troy Johnson of

intheSolomanlslandsPapua, New Monticello; sister-in-law, Dorothy

Guinea, and the Philippines in the Johnson; three daughters-in-law;

South Pacific in the field logistics three son-in-laws; 14 grandchil-

and as a medic with the U.S. Army dren; one great-grandchild; and a

93rd Division. As a civilian, he number of other relatives.