James Willard Johnson

James (Jimmy) Willard Johnson, 77, of Sydnorsville, Va. passed away Saturday, February 28, 2009. He was born January 13, 1932, a son of the late Charlie Vestal Johnson and Mattie Martha McKinney Johnson. He was also preceded in death by five sisters, Ruth Young, Mary Martin, Elsie Lamkin, Nelsie Johnson, and Darlene Johnson, and three brothers, Paul, Dewey and Ray Johnson. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Clarice Mason Johnson, of the home; daughter, Joy Johnson Swicegood (Gary), of Sydnorsville; granddaughter, Morgan; sisters, Rebecca Taylor, of Rocky Mount, Lola Mason, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; brother, Ralph Johnson, of Henry; and numerous nieces and nephews, with special thanks to Bonnie Sink, Betty McGhee, and Monty Lamkin. Jimmy retired from American of Martinsville and was an avid coon hunter and raised beagles. He also loved rabbit hunting and riding his "gator". He attended Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Sydnorsville. Funeral services will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Mark Deane officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Rita Doughton, 2085 Crooked Oak Road, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151 or please consider planting a tree in his memory. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday with his family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 665 South Main Street, Rocky Mount.