Ernest Johnson

Obituary For Ernest Johnson
In Loving Memory of Dr. Ernest Howard Johnson (1954 - 2024)
Dr. Ernest Howard Johnson, son of Evenlyn O'Hara and Nathaniel Jenkins, peacefully transitioned at home in Durham, North Carolina, on Monday, October 7, 2024. Born on August 20, 1954 in Hillsborough, FL, Ernest spent his childhood years growing up in New Smyrna, Florida. Dr. Johnson was a health and wellness consultant, entrepreneur, author, mentor, and professor speaker.
Ernest received his Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology from the University of South Florida. In working alongside physicians at the University of Michigan Medical Center and Morehouse School of Medicine, he examined how stress contributes to major health problems. While working at North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), he developed and provided professional development and training programs to educators for the state. He mainly focused on addressing critical factors impacting learning and literacy, including childhood trauma, multicultural issues, and the need for diverse teaching strategies. Emphasizing a holistic approach, Ernest always considered the well-being of both teachers and students. It was at one of his Holistic Health Programs where Ernest met his future wife, Mattie and they were married on November 17, 2006. He worked alongside his wife, Mattie (an educator) to cultivate healthy gardening spaces for teachers and their students, parents, and church groups. He continued working on several projects and books to be published.
Ernest retired from NCCAT in 2021 but he never truly retired. With a commitment to research-based strategies, Ernest always aimed to empower teachers to better support all students, particularly those at high risk of failure.
Ernest's kindness and compassion impacted not only his family but those in his community. He was a Christian who passionately embraced peace, recycling, meditation, love, nature, gardening, laughter, cooking, jazz, healthy eating, wildlife conservation, and supporting his friends. Those who knew him would say, "Doc has a heart bigger than life." His legacy will continue to influence the educational community.
Ernest is survived by his loving wife, Mattie Perry Johnson; his son, Alexander Seaman; his stepdaughter, Sarah (Jorge) Neri ; brothers, Authur Johnson (Yolanda) and Dennis Johnson; sister, Karen Allen; nephews, nieces, cousins, and adoring grandchildren: Clio, Aiden, Arjuna, Isabella, Kofi and Oriana, all of whom he cherished deeply.
In honor of his wishes Ernest was cremated and peacefully rested at the beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to a charitible organization of your choice would be one way to honor his memory..
Please share the organization you selected if you like. Ernest enjoyed and loved seeing your reactions of love and the comments. Feel free to share the organization you chose if you'd like. Ernest would have truly appreciated and loved seeing your heartfelt reactions and comments. Now, we all can.