Irby H. "Sonny" Johnson

Irby H. "Sonny" Johnson, age 88, passed away Friday evening, January 30, 2026, at his home in Batesville, MS.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the interment to follow at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville, MS. Beginning at 12:00 P.M. Friday, the family will receive friends prior to the service. In remembrance of Sonny, the family asks that those who attend to wear western attire if able.

Irby H. "Sonny" Johnson was born on October 9, 1937, in Batesville, and he devoted his life to his community and his family.

Sonny was well-known as a longtime building contractor in Batesville and the surrounding communities. His commitment to craftsmanship and his reputation for reliability were hallmarks of his professional life. Beyond his career, Sonny had a passion for baseball, which he enjoyed both as a player and a dedicated fan. He actively participated in local softball leagues for many years. The outdoors also called to him; he found joy in hunting and being immersed in nature. Throughout the years, he took great pride in supporting his grandchildren as they showed their cows at various fairs and exhibitions, a testament to his unwavering devotion as a grandfather.

Sonny's leisure time was often spent with a good book or reading his Bible, reflecting his deep faith as a member of the Central Academy Church of Christ in Batesville. His love for gardening was evident in his thriving vegetable garden, and he enjoyed relaxing with classic western television shows.

Sonny is survived by his beloved wife, Norma Brown Johnson, of Batesville; his son, Jerry Johnson, of Enid, MS; his brother, Harold "Pee Wee" Johnson (Martha Lynn), of Batesville; five grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irby Owens and Eliza Lucille Young Johnson; his daughter, Anita Johnson Mitchell; his daughter, Teresa "Sissy" Johnson; his son, Brian Johnson; and his grandson, Jake Johnson.