Johnnie Allie Michaels

Johnnie Allie Michaels, 76, of Burlington, NC passed away at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

A native of Alamance County, he was the husband of the late Lee Medlin Michaels, who passed away in 2013. He was the son of Clarence Colon Michaels and Georgia Bell Hunter Michaels. He grew up loving to dance and carried that throughout his life. He brought back his love to Alamance as one of the founding members of the Burlington Shag Club. He was just as hardworking as he was a great dancer. A veteran of the U.S. Army and a local entrepreneur, he opened Polly's Seafood, 3 Thirty 3 Sports Bar, Sam's Hot Dogs, Michael's Used Cars, and ran a lawn care service. Always wanting to bring people together, you could find him at one of these places talking with anyone who would listen.

Johnnie enjoyed vacationing with his family and friends on cruises to the Bahamas. He loved to Shag and enjoyed attending SOS weekend at Myrtle Beach. He was old-school to the core, keeping his dancing shoes all throughout his life. He held on tight to the old times and loved every minute of it. He held even tighter to the friendships he made along the way.

He had a green thumb and always kept a beautiful yard. He often quoted his father, Clarence: "If you're going to do it, do it right," and that could be seen all throughout his life. Sunday breakfast, tomato juice, chow-chow, and woodwork were staples of his life.

He is survived by his two children, Johnnie Todd Michaels and Zoe Cantrece Michaels; three grandchildren, Jordan Paige Michaels (Tristan Lough), Brayden Machi Michaels, and Tavin Lance Michaels; one great-grandchild, Camden Wyatt Lough; a great-grandchild on the way, Hadley Virginia Lough; his niece, Wanda Michaels Anderson (William Anderson, II); and several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Alfred Colon Michaels.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Josh House, with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

The following day, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, a celebration of life will be held at Lashay's Sidetrack Allie in Glen Raven at 2:00 p.m.

Nothing would please Johnnie more than bringing together old friends. Come and stay a while.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.