Earnest James Johnson

Published 9:54 pm Monday, June 20, 2011

Earnest James Johnson affectionately known as “Pumpkin” was born on September 16, 1931. He was the second child of the late Willie and Pearlie Johnson.  He confessed Christ at an early age and was a member of Sandridge Baptist Church.   He was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 and proudly served in the Korean War.  He received numerous medals and awards including the, Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), United Nations Service Medal (UNSM) and the Presidential Unit Citation. After returning to the states, he continued to serve his country as member of the United States Army Reserve.

He worked at Selma Ready Mix formerly known as Selma Concrete as a machinist and manager for 45 years.   He had a true passion for automobiles and was the owner and operator of Johnson’s Garage for more than 50 years.

Earnest leaves to cherish his memory, a loving and devoted wife Della Mae Johnson of Selma, Alabama; two daughters, Cheryl (Chris) Curry and Chandala (H. Dexter) Brown, both of Atlanta, Georgia; one grandson Hamilton Dexter Brown Jr.;  one step grandson Chris A. Curry; two brothers , Eddie (Dorothy) Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama and William (Gloria) Johnson of Florissant, Missouri; five sisters Adelle Harris of Chicago, Illinois; Rosetta (Julius) Lanier, Fannie (Joe) Brown,   Arlean Suttles  of Selma, Alabama; and  Georgia (Cleveland) Chaney of East Cleveland, Ohio; one aunt Emma Johnson of Buffalo, New York; a very special nephew Michael Johnson of Selma Alabama, a host of beloved nieces,  nephews, cousins, and friends.

Earnest was preceded in death by his mother Pearlie Johnson; father, Willie Johnson;  stepmother, Jessie Lee Johnson; brother Samuel “Bingo” Johnson and  sister Ada Bell McGee.