Melvin Woodrow Johnson, Sr.

Melvin departed peacefully from this earthly life on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at ECU Health Chowan Hospital, as the Lord gently welcomed him into eternal rest at the age of eighty seven. He was born on December 6, 1937, in Merry Hill, North Carolina, the son of the late Daniel Johnson, Jr. and Annie Sue Clemons Johnson, and one of four children.

Mr. Johnson served his country with honor in the United States Air Force.

After completing his military service, he spent his early adult years in Atlantic City, where he lived and worked in Kathryn Epps Williams’s rooming house while working at Two Guys Department Store. When he later left Atlantic City and relocated to Maryland, he continued his employment with Two Guys, and during this time he met his third wife, Nancy Duncan Johnson.

He later transitioned into employment with AT and T, where he worked faithfully until his retirement. After retiring, he returned to his home state of North Carolina to spend his later years. During this time, he worked for Lawrence Academy as a part time bus driver.

In the years that followed, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and answered the call to ministry, becoming an ordained Minister. He served faithfully in his church, offering prayer, guidance, and support to others, and continued in ministry until his health began to decline.

Melvin enjoyed traveling with his beloved cousin Mary Estelle Watson and other close companions who shared in his journeys. He devoted much of his time to visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and residential homes, offering comfort, prayer, and support to the sick, the elderly, and the disabled. He found true joy in singing gospel music and other songs that lifted and encouraged his spirit. Melvin also loved collecting small treasures and trinkets, often keeping them as reminders of moments that touched him or passing them along to others as tokens of kindness. He had a natural curiosity for how things worked and spent many hours fixing, repairing, and tinkering with mechanical items.

He was known for his strong opinions, his love of conversation, and his desire to share advice, wisdom, and personal experiences with those around him. He had an impressive sense of direction when traveling, often guiding others with ease, earning a reputation as a natural guide in unfamiliar places. Melvin carried a confident, take charge personality and rarely hesitated to express how he believed something should be done. Throughout his life, he valued his independence and worked tirelessly to remain self sufficient. Above all, he was a caring brother who held a genuine affection for his siblings and stayed close to them as the years passed.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents Daniel Johnson, Jr, Annie Sue Clemons Johnson, his former wives Barbara Sallard (Johnson), Pauline Johnson, his brothers, Daniel Dennis Johnson, Willie Martin Johnson, his sister, Clara (Johnson) Williams, his sons, Wesley Johnson, William Daniel Johnson, Melvin Woodrow (Jay)Johnson, Jr., his nieces, Victoria Bernice Williams, Thelma Diane Williams (Scott), and his granddaughter Cianna Kelly Hoyt.

He is survived by his daughter Annalisa Johnson and her children An’nelisea Johnson and Darius Johnson, and his daughter Alice Bond and her children Tawanna Freeman, Delinda Williams, James Spivey, Jr. , Devona Bond, and Eboni Bond, The children of his late son William Daniel(Danny) Johnson, Kaliq Johnson, Ashley Nicole Dillingham(Harris), Taiyana Johnson, Niece, Alice Yvonne Hedgebeth and her Family, Nephews, William Wardsworth Williams and family, Willie Windell Williams and family , Darryl Williams and Family. He is survived by his cousin Ruth Gaskins and her family, who shared the close bond of being his neighbors across the street. He was previously married to Nancy Johnson, and together they were the parents of two sons who have since passed away. He is survived as well, by his devoted companion of many years, Patricia Fields. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren, and countless loved ones, relatives, and friends who were part of his life.

"A Road Homeward"

He walked a difficult road, carrying a light that flickered more than it shone, yet God saw the truth of his heart even when others could not. His days shifted between calm and storm, and there were moments when grace felt far beyond his reach, but the Lord knew the quiet longing within him, the search for meaning he could never fully express.

There were seasons when he could not rise to the hopes that surrounded him, when his steps grew unsteady and his presence drifted like a wavering shadow. Even then, God held the small sparks of care that lived inside him, the intentions that were often hidden beneath the weight of life.

The burdens he carried were heavy, sometimes more than any man could bear with ease, yet every morning he stood again. The strength that kept him moving was not always his own; it was the quiet strength God places in those who struggle, the breath that lifts a soul to face another day.

In the ways he seldom claimed, he reached toward better choices, stumbling and rising in the human rhythm of imperfection. He followed the truths he believed were his to carry, watched over always by a mercy far greater than he knew.

Now he rests in a gentler peace, where the hardship of this world falls away. He is remembered not for perfect living, but for the earnest effort of a soul who walked a hard path with the best light he had, and for the God who never let that light go out.

May the Lord receive him with compassion and wrap him in everlasting rest. And may those who speak his name do so with grace, honoring the man he was, the faith he reached for, and the quiet journey that led him home.

The family welcomes flowers, plants, or any thoughtful support shared in memory of Melvin W. Johnson, Sr. to Annalisa Johnson P.O. Box 1598 Absecon, NJ 08201 and Alice (Sutton) Bond 1717 Cooper Hill Road, Windsor, NC 27983.