Bishop Richard C. Johnson Sr.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8
Bishop Richard Carroll Johnson, Sr., was born February 7, 1947, in Bamberg, South Carolina. He was the 7th son of the late Horace and Eva Mae Jones Johnson. He took wings and was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Richard was educated in the public schools of Bamberg County, SC. At the age of 12, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He joined the Saint John Baptist Church and later became a member of Bethlehem A. F. Holiness Church in Mt. Vernon, NY, where he served as Assistant Pastor. Richard was united in holy matrimony to his bride and love of his life, the former Gwendolyn D. Baker. Their union of love was blessed with more than 54 years of love and devotion to each other and the rearing of a beautiful family.
Upon relocating back to South Carolina, Bishop Johnson founded Central Holiness Church here in Columbia. Elder Johnson was ordained as Bishop under Apostolic Faith Holiness Church and served as Pastor for 42 years. He served faithfully until the Lord called him home.
Bishop Johnson was a loving man of God whose mission was to see others saved and happy in Jesus. He was a Strong, Powerful, Anointed and Humble man of God who showed these attributes in his role as a Father, a Pastor and as Bishop. We say, "Well Done thy Good and Faithful Servant."
Bishop Johnson was also preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Johnson Hall, and several siblings.
Those who will forever cherish Bishop Johnson's joyful memories are his loving and devoted wife, Gwendolyn B. Johnson; 6 loving children; his caring sons, William Johnson of Roanoke Rapids, NC; Donald Johnson of Charlotte, NC; and Richard Johnson, Jr., of Columbia, SC; and loving daughters, Sheila Johnson Baker of Columbia, SC; Teresa (Kenyatta) Moore of Marion County, SC; and Regina Marshall of Albany, NY; nineteen (19) grandchildren, sixty (60) great-grandchildren; two (2) great-great-grandchildren; five brothers, Willie (Naomi) Johnson, John Johnson, Nathaniel Johnson, Larry (Angela) Johnson and Christopher Scott; five (5) sisters, Cynthia (C. Michael) Sapp, Frances (Ben) Mack, Ernestine Ross and Bethel (Herbert) Erbie and Mary Carmichael; one aunt, Emma Johnson; one sister-in-law, Debra Johnson; family friend, Jimmie L. Adams; and a host of nephews, nieces and other loving relatives and friends.