Oct. 30, 1919 –
Jan. 30, 2013
Emory Edwin Johnson, 93, of Climax, formerly a long-time resident of Tallahassee, Fla., died on Jan. 30, 2013, following a life filled with treasures and gifts of family and friends.
The funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at Ivey Funeral Home in Bainbridge, with Rev. Stan Posey and chaplain David Cook officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m., prior to the memorial service. Interment with military honors will follow the memorial service at the Johnson Family Cemetery in Climax.
Edwin was born Oct. 30, 1919, in Grady County, Ga. He was a member of an early pioneer family who settled in the Georgia colony in 1784. Following graduation from Attapulgus High School, he served as a member of the U.S. Army throughout the South Pacific Theater during World War II where he received the Bronze Star. Returning to Bainbridge in 1945, he became a charter member in the local VFW Club recognizing veterans of overseas service. After his military service, he returned to the family farm prior to entering private business in Donalsonville, Ga., and Port St. Joe, Fla. He retired from the Florida Department of General Services in 1985. During his time as a resident of Tallahassee, from 1961 until 1995, he was a member of East Hill Baptist Church. Moving back to Georgia, Edwin returned to Antioch Baptist Church of Climax.
Edwin enjoyed the natural beauty of his surroundings and found great pleasure in continuing to actively tend his flower and vegetable gardens. He also looked forward to time in the kitchen as a great baker of cakes and pies, as well as harvester of fruits and berries for his own jelly and jams. He watched as his great-grandsons took their place on the tractor seat to begin their enjoyment of the same land that his family has farmed since 1855.
Edwin was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years in 1993, Kathleen Ivey Johnson; his parents, W. Henry and Lillie Johnson; his brother, Carson Johnson; and his sister, Edith Johnson.
He is survived by his children, Emory Johnson (Dorothy), of Tallahassee, Barbara Miller Henricks, of Gainesville, Fla., and Wayne Miller (Carol), of Jacksonville, Fla.; his sister, Hazel Perry, of Climax; his grandchildren, Jolie Henricks, of Walnut Creek, Calif., Sara Lea Bradner (Bob), of Tallahassee, Mark Henricks (Stephanie), of Stevensville, Md., Melissa Johnson, of Jacksonville, and Ivey Johnson Hall (Travis), of Macon, Ga.; and his great-grandchildren, Augustus Henricks, Jon Emory Hall, Siler Ruth Hall; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to our friend, Samuel Byrd, for his years of friendship, JoAnn Kendrick for her special care, and the loving attention by Reginia Hutchins and Tonya Williams of Hospice of Southwest Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Edwin & Kathleen Johnson Band Scholarship, c/o Paschal Ward, Bainbridge High School, One Bearcat Blvd., Bainbridge, GA 39819; Hospice of Southwest Georgia, 117 Donalson St., Bainbridge, Georgia 39819, or to a favorite charity.
Ivey Funeral Home is in charge.