Brant "B.A." Allen Johnson, Jr.

Brant Allen “B.A.” Johnson, Jr., went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 31, 2025, at his home in the Cleveland community surrounded by his family. The family will receive friends and relatives at Rose and Graham Funeral Home, Benson, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm. A celebration of B.A.’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 2 pm, at Way of Life Baptist Church, 2100 Harmony Court, Clayton, NC 27520. Burial will follow at the cemetery of Shiloh Baptist Church, 3414 N. Shiloh Road, Garner 27529. Rev. Scott Johnson and Rev. Scott Tucker will officiate. 

 He lived his entire life on the family farm on Garner, Route 1, where he was born September 11, 1940. He will be remembered for his jovial spirit, his exceptional work ethic, his loyalty to family and friends, and his deep and abiding Christian faith. 

B.A. was the son of the late Brant A. and Ada Clifton Johnson. He was also predeceased by doting sisters Ethelea J. Flowers, Faye J. Blackmon, Evelyn Johnson, and Shirley J Brantley. He is survived by his adoring wife of 65 years, Peggy Stephenson Johnson; sons and daughters-in-law, Duane Johnson (wife Louise) of Garner, Todd Johnson (wife Donna) of Smithfield, and Rev. Scott Johnson (wife Rita) of Benson; six grandchildren, Samantha J. Dunn (husband Adam) of Benson, Jeremiah Johnson of Garner, Meghan J. Thomas (husband John) of New Bern, Abby J. Glover (husband Jay) of Smithfield, Clifton Johnson (partner Siobhan Brennan) of Raleigh, and Kevin Johnson (wife Samantha) of Benson; and three great-grandchildren, Annistyn Thomas, Hunter Dunn, and Chandler Glover. 

B.A. grew up working on his parents’ tobacco farm and helping in their country store. Passersby on Highway 1010 could see him and his pet hen, which he pulled around the yard on a lard can lid as they witnessed the hard-surfacing of the road and the first Seashore bus that rolled by. B.A. was not known for being studious, but he was a hard worker outside the classroom. When he was about 15, his uncle Forest Johnson hired him as curb hop and assistant manager at the Circle Drive-In in Smithfield, where he later worked for Jack Gardner, brother of Hollywood star Ava Gardner. As an adult he went into route sales, working for Fay’s Sandwich Company, Gordon Foods, Wise, and Frito-Lay. Farming remained in his blood, and he would spend summer afternoons cropping tobacco and working in vegetable gardens after finishing his route. 

He was a 1958 graduate of Cleveland High School. It was there he found the two great loves of his life: basketball and Peggy Stephenson. As a sophomore, he played in the first basketball game in the school’s new gymnasium under Coach Bruce Coats, his lifelong friend and mentor. He went on to serve as co-captain of the team. One day at school he spotted a new girl who had just moved from Durham and gave her a wink. They fell madly in love and married as soon as she graduated in 1959. 

B.A. and Peggy grew up attending church, but it was as a young married couple under the preaching of Rev. L.E. Godwin, Jr., at Shiloh Baptist Church that they became devoted followers of Jesus Christ. They were charter members of Wildwood Baptist Church in 1973 and later joined the Way of Life Baptist Church near Clayton. B.A. served as a deacon, and Peggy sang and directed choirs for all ages. They worked together as youth leaders, planning fun and meaningful activities to draw young people together to hear the teachings of Jesus. Her organizational skills, musical talent, and creativity and his winning personality and can-do spirit made them a special team. 

Boy Scout executive Ren Ivins contacted B.A. about organizing a troop in the Cleveland community in the early 1970s. He devoted a great deal of time and energy to this effort before turning the reins over to Leamon Myers. Over five decades later, Troop 64 is still preparing boys to become men of character and strength. 

B.A. was a loving, supportive father to three active boys, each with different interests and talents. He coached Little League baseball and attended countless sporting events, musical performances, and church events. He served as taxi driver for practices, often on his potato chip truck. His love of basketball never waned. He would often organize games at the Cleveland School gymnasium on nights and weekends. In his thirties and forties, he could still outshoot and outrun almost anyone on the court. 

In his retirement years, B.A. enjoyed gathering with old friends at McDonald’s or Bojangles near I-40/42. He especially enjoyed visiting his homebound buddies Bruce Coats, Glenn Clifton, Bill Yelvington, Medwick Byrd, and others. 

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.