James Johnson

Funeral service for Deacon James Allen Johnson 87 will be conducted 1:00 PM Saturday. December 7, 2019 at The Strive Hard Educational, Recreational and Enrichment Center (SHEREC), 312 S. Ravenel St. Florence. Entombment will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC. James Allen Johnson was the son of the late Henry and Alice Johnson. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 19, 1932. After 87 blessed years, he departed this earthly life surrounded by family on Tuesday evening December 3, 2019, after a brief illness. James grew up in Pineville, South Carolina where he attended and graduated from the Berkley County School Systems. He then matriculated to Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. However, for better opportunities, he migrated to New York City but made a quick visit back to South Carolina to get the love of his life Rachel Singletary. James and Rachel united in holy matrimony on July 28, 1954 and from this union they were blessed with three children, Gilbert, Bernard, and Quinette. They were married for 65 wonderful years. At an early age, James accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pineville, South Carolina. After migrating to New York, he joined Canaan Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Wyatt T. Walker, where he was ordained as a Deacon and served faithfully. After many years of loyal and dedicated service with the New York City Transit Authority, James retired and relocated to Florence, South Carolina with his wife. The Johnsons quickly found their church home joining New Ebenezer Baptist Church. He was ordained as a Deacon, where he served diligently and faithfully for more than 27 years. James commitment to serving as a Deacon was not limited to the congregation of New Ebenezer. He responded to anyone who called on him anytime of the day or night. James would not hesitate to leave the comfort of his home to go and pray for someone in need. He was a Deacon par excellent! James was also a faithful member of several other ministries including the Prison Ministry, Male Chorus, Sunday School Ministry, The Strive Hard Educational, Recreational and Enrichment Center (SHEREC) building committee, and his most pleasurable service was the Sick and Shut-in Ministry, where he developed the bi-annual luncheon and was instrumental in the distribution of the Christmas Holiday boxes, which was organized by the Senior Missionary Ministry many years ago. James was preceded in death by his parents; and his eldest son, Gilbert Johnson. James leaves to cherish his precious memories: his loving and devoted wife, Rachel; a son, Bernard “Bernie” (Jacquie) Johnson of Brooklyn, New York; a daughter, Quinette “Net”(Edwin) Serrano of Jersey City, New Jersey; three grandchildren, Kareena Sweat of Matthews, North Carolina, KyRon (Taiqa) Sweat of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Ashia Johnson of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; six great grandchildren, Najah Sweat of Charlotte, North Carolina, Quavia Sweat, KyRon Sweat, II, Kaydence Sweat, and Karter Sweat of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Alexis Freeman of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; three brothers-in-law, Issac Singletary of St. Stephens, South Carolina, Roscoe (Leonisa) Singletary of Goose Creek, South Carolina, and Robert (Yvonne) Singletary of St. Stephens, South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Leonia Bessent of Jacksonville, Florida and Ruby Jones of Chesapeake, Virginia; a host of nephews; nieces; cousins; church family; and many, many friends. Family visitation and viewing will be 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM prior to service, Saturday, December 7, 2019 at The Strive Hard Educational, Recreational and Enrichment Center of New Ebenezer Baptist Church, 312 S. Ravenel St., Florence and other times the family will receive friends at Tara Village Subdivision – 1113 Cormac Ct., Florence. Send flowers to the service of James Johnson