Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie E. Johnson NORFOLK - Lonnie Edward Johnson passed away Sept. 27, 2010 at the Tut Fann Veteran's Home in Huntsville, Ala. He was born Aug. 22, 1924 in Pittsfield, Ill. Just prior to World War II, he moved to Portsmouth where one afternoon, looking down the road, he saw a beautiful young woman and stated, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." World War II ensued and Lonnie enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training, he was shipped out to North Africa, where he completed Ranger training and became one of "Darby's Rangers," joining Company C, 1st Battalion of Darby's Rangers. "Rangers lead the way." Wounded in the Italian campaigns, he also saw action in the Sicilian, Naples-Foggia, Rome - Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central European campaigns. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge and several European Theater of Operations campaign ribbons. At the conclusion of World War II, Lonnie returned to Portsmouth and married that beautiful young woman he'd seen years earlier, Christine Joyce Williams. Two children were born from the union, Sherry Ione and Larry Earl. The family continued to grow with the addition of their spouses, Richard Sorrell and Gay Mabe; five grandchildren and their spouses, Christy (Bob Copeland), David Sorrell (Michelle), Kimberly (Doug Pillsbury), Kevin Johnson (Colleen Ryan) and Claire Johnson. Great-grandchildren include Bobby, Rebecca and Cody Copeland, Ashton Prestage, Skylar, Landon and Rivers Sorrell, Kyle and Ryan Pillsbury, Kaya and Hanna Johnson. Lonnie also leaves many nieces and nephews. Lonnie was preceded in death by his mother, Daisy, his wife Christine Joyce Williams; two brothers, Richard and Maynard; and his sister, Ione Malone. A memorial service will be conducted Friday, Oct. 1, at Monte Sano United Methodist Church, 601 Monte Sano Blvd., Huntsville. Family visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the memorial service beginning at 11 a.m. Final interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Valhalla Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Army Emergency Relief Fund in memory of Lonnie E. Johnson.