James Henry Johnson, “Gummy” as he was fondly call by family in friends entered into eternal rest on July 27, 2012, at the age of 91.
He was born in Richmond, Virginia to the late Benjamin and Mary Johnson on August 9, 1920. He graduated from Armstrong high school in Richmond, and attended Hampton Institute. He served in the United States Army during World War II. On October 17, 1957 he married the late Lula Mae Strickland and from this union for children were born. He retired from the US Postal Service as a letter carrier and worked as a waiter in both Hampton and Williamsburg at Angus Barn for over 25 years. He was active with the Meals on Wheels program until his health no longer permitted. He was a member of Dochiki social and civic club for over 50 years; as well as a longtime member of the Hampton University Booster club.
He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be greatly missed by his family, a host of friends and the community.
Cherishing his memory are his children, two daughters, Karen Johnson Gilliam (Brian) of Raleigh North Carolina, Deborah Elizabeth Johnson (Amy) of Roseville, California; two sons, James Edward Johnson (Lisa) of Bel Air, Maryland and William Eric Johnson of New Orleans, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Shawn, Kevin and Brianna Gilliam, and James Johnson, Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Isaiah, and Deshawn Gilliam; Malakai and Kiersten Weimer; one brother, William E. Johnson (Lillian) of Hampton Virginia; several nieces an nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Viewing will be held from 12:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. A Funeral service will be held at noon Saturday at First Church of Newport News, Baptist. Interment will follow in Pleasant Shade Cemetery. Mr. Johnson will be placed in the church at 10:00 am on Saturday. Family will receive visitors on Friday between 6-9 pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1700 Coliseum Drive in Hampton. At the family’s request, expressions of kindness can be a donation to the American Kidney Foundation.
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