Frank Johnson

“His Lord said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23 KJV

Reverend Walter Frank Johnson, affectionately known as “Preacher Frank,” age 91, of Mountain City, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, September 21, 2025, following an extended illness. Born on August 5, 1934, he was a son of the late Donald Allen Johnson and Geneva Belle Edmisten Johnson.

Frank was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was also a distinguished soldier in the Army of the Lord, having been in the ministry for over fifty years. He was a retired funeral home employee and was a member of Mabel Baptist Church.

As a young man, Frank assisted in the organization of and was one of the first members of Calvary Baptist Church of Mountain City, where some years later, he was a song leader, taught Sunday School and he was ordained to preach the gospel. He served as pastor of Vaught’s Gap Baptist Church in Mountain City for over 34 years and then at West View Baptist Church in Boone, Elk Mills Baptist Church in Butler, and Mabel Baptist Church in Zionville. “Preacher Frank” was the voice of Bible Truth Radio Broadcast on WMCT for over 30 years and preached in countless revival meetings and bible conferences in many states. He served on the boards of Grace Baptist Missions and Central Medical Missions Operation Renewed Hope, in addition to serving on the Cold Springs Water Commission.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, and the mother of his children, Vilena Mae Graybeal Johnson and his four brothers, Allen, O’Dell, Scott and Glenn “Cotton” Johnson.

Among those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Crowder Johnson; his son, Walter F. Johnson, Jr. (Pam) of Johnson City, Tennessee; his two daughters, Janet Raynor (Jim) Hellertown, Pennsylvania and Dianna Allen (Danny) of Concord, North Carolina; one grandson, Zack Johnson (fiancée, Taylor Clodfelter); four granddaughters, Beth Tupper (James), Annie Ellis (Doug), Hannah Raynor, Kaylee Johnson (fiancé Andy Clark); four great grandchildren, Lucy Tupper, Luca Tupper, Lena Smothers, and Addy Smothers. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

The family will receive friends from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Mountain City Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow 6 p.m. with Pastors Daniel Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and Bill Morefield officiating. A private burial will follow. Pallbearers will be Richard Hammons, Jack Cress, David Campbell, Rick Wallace, Larry Smith, and Mike White. Honorary pallbearers are Zack Johnson, Jim Raynor, Ronnie Johnson, Jerry Stansberry, Charlie Roark and ministers in attendance.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Central Missionary Clearinghouse (CMC), PO Box 219228, Houston, TX 77218-9228, specially designated for Brother Daniel Jones or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The family respectfully requests no food.

Expressions of gratitude and thanks are extended to the staff of Amedisys Home Health, Watauga Medical Center, the Foley Rehabilitation Center, and Mountain City Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Words of comfort and support may be sent to the Johnson Family by going to www.mountaincityfh.com and signing the online guest book.

The family of Walter Frank Johnson has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683