Melvin Earl “Buck” Johnson transitioned to glory on November 4, 2025 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri surrounded by his family.
Melvin was born January 3, 1963 in Scott County, Missouri to Reverend Roosevelt and Mrs. Helen Gene Johnson. Melvin accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of Reverend Frank Jones at Greer's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of Lighthouse Church in Dexter, Missouri under the leadership of Pastor Tim Russell.
He was a 1981 graduate of Scott County Central High School where he excelled and received a scholarship to Rend Lake College to play his favorite sport, basketball. During his time in school, the media rumored him to Harry Truman’s slogan "The Buck stops here", only his was "The Buck pops here."
On August 22, 1987, Melvin married Bridgett Lee. To this union four children were born, three sons and one daughter. Melvin and Bridgett had an endless love. This love taught their children how to love endlessly and to endure all the ups and downs that goes with life and love.
Melvin worked at Dana Corporation in Cape Girardeau until their closing and Verdesian, which is now QC Corporation. He retired in 2019 because of his heart. While it wasn’t the best, you wouldn’t know it because Melvin had a heart of gold.
In his spare time, Melvin played men’s league basketball, and he enjoyed working around his house. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and reading and talking about the bible.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Roosevelt and Mrs. Helen Gene Johnson, his brother, JReece Johnson, his nephew, Nicholas Johnson, his brother-in-love, Frank Ellis, and his maternal grandparents, Henry and Daisy Brown.
He leaves to mourn his passing three sons, Dominitrix Johnson of Sikeston, Missouri, Melvin La’Roosevelt (Abbey) Johnson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Terrance Johnson of Bell City, Missouri, his daughter, Jasmine (Jim) Rampley of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, two brothers, James (Vanessa) Johnson of Grant City, Missouri, and Reverend Paul (Nicole) Johnson of Haywood City, Missouri, six sisters, Rosemary (Earnest) Johnson Nelson of Sikeston, Missouri, Reverend Bridgett (Reverend Melvin) Williams of East Prairie, Missouri, Sylvia Ellis of Sikeston, Missouri, Pamela (Lester) Gillespie of Charleston, Missouri, Lashelle Johnson of Keiln, Texas, and Kathryn Johnson of California, one aunt, Barbara Brown, five grandsons, four granddaughters, his sister-in-love, Cora Johnson of Charleston, Missouri and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Friends may call Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 11:00 A.M. at Light House Church in Dexter, Missouri with Pastor Tim Russell officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Morley Cemetery in Morley, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
304 Vine St P.O. Box 327, Charleston, MO 63834
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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