Sfc George Edward Johnson Sr.

SFC George E. Johnson, Sr (Retired) drew his last breath on earth and his first in heaven on December 14, 2024, surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly. He was born November 12, 1929, in Antreville, SC, the first of seven children of Carrie Skirty Johnson and William "Bill" Osceola Johnson. From early childhood, he worked hard, helping his daddy sharecrop to provide for their family during the Jim Crow era. In search of better opportunities, he left Antreville and went to live with his aunt in Washington, DC.
In June,1948 he enlisted in the US Army. The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 resulted in two deployments to South Korea. When the war ended, he was stationed at Fort Mead, Maryland. At a casual gathering in Washington DC, he met the love of his life-Mary Elizabeth Kyle. They were married on Feb 4, 1956. They began their life together at Fort Bragg, NC where he served with the 82nd Airborne Division. At Fort Bragg, their daughters Rene and Helena were born. He was then stationed at Hanau, Germany. His family grew there through the births of his son, George, Jr., and daughter Sandra.
His next duty station was Fort Campbell, KY, where he was a member of the acclaimed 101st Airborne Division. Between 1962 and 1968, he graduated from Drill Sergeant school at Fort Jackson, SC and the 101st Jump Master school. As a drill sergeant, he molded young recruits into battle-ready soldiers. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1968. His family also expanded during these years with the births of son Ronald and daughter Margaret.
He retired from the Army in 1969. He and his family settled in Columbia, SC where he began a second career as a nuclear pellet operator at Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel Division. Numerous coworkers became part of his extended family. He retired from Westinghouse in 1990 with 20 years of service.
His retirement gave him more time to devote to family, church, and community. He was an avid gardener, where he found solace and connection to God. He delighted in sharing the bounty from his gardens with family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members. He also helped rear grandchildren, great grandchildren and was a mentor to dozens of others who considered him their granddaddy.
For 50 years he faithfully attended and served in many roles at his church which began as Eastwood Baptist before becoming Hope Baptist. He was also dedicated to serving with the South Carolina Chapter of the101st Airborne Division Association.
George E. Johnson, Sr. leaves behind an enduring legacy of integrity, selflessness, caring and love. He is predeceased in death by his parents, brothers James Howard Johnson, William "Billy" Johnson, and Calvin Johnson; sister Anna Ruth Speed; son George E. Johnson, Jr.; and daughter Mary Margaret Winston.
He is survived by his wife Mary Kyle Johnson; daughters Rene Simon, Helena Johnson, Sandra Johnson; son Ronald (Nadine) Johnson: granddaughters Nicole (Al) Rankin, Ashley (Landon) Monroe, Mary Elizabeth Johnson, Rachel (Will)Winston McInnis, and; grandsons Ernest Miles Simon and Edward "Mac" Johnson; great grandsons Xavier Comer and Theophilus Davis, III; great granddaughters Alana Davis, Brooklyn Rankin, and London Monroe; brothers, Reverend Robert (Elaine) Johnson and Rudolph Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and cherished friends.