Derek Rick Johnson

Graveside Services for Mr. Derek R. Johnson, Sr., will be held Saturday, January 22, at 1:00 PM. Location: Hillbridge Memorial Gardens Cemetery 433 Hillbridge Road, Dublin. Elder Ernest Simmons will serve as eulogist. Mask and Social distancing is required.

Derek R. Johnson Sr. was born May 21, 1954 to the late Willie Frank Johnson and Willa Mae McFarland.  He was born and reared in Toledo, Ohio. He later joined the Army and served from 1974-1977.

Derek was very outgoing and friendly. He loved all kinds of musical instruments, painting of many decorative arts and building and remodeling of homes.

As a father of two sons and a daughter, Derek moved to Dublin in 2003, in hopes of finding a better and stable job. He was introduced to the Gospel of Christ by a fellow co-worker and became a member of Church of Christ in 2005. It is here where he met and married Betty J. Rozier, on June 3, 2007. In July 2012, he started his career at the Carl Vinson VA Hospital, Dublin, and retired in August 2018 after his health began to fail. 

He was called to his eternal resting home on January 8, 2022 at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.

Derek was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Frank Johnson and Willa Mae McFarland; and his brother Gary Johnson.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories to his wife, Betty J. Johnson, children; Laphonso (affectionately known as "Peanut") (Veranda) Witcher, Toledo, Ohio, Ericka Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia, Derek R. Johnson, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia, stepchildren: James (Sabrina) Parks, Roy, Utah, Tyechia Parks, Dublin, Georgia, grandchildren; Laphonso Witcher, ll, Larenzo Witcher and Leanna Witcher, all of Toledo, Ohio, Jasmine Seals, Jathan Parks and Kiara Parks; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings; Diane Galbrell, Kimberly Mickles, Michael Johnson and Billy W. Johnson, all of Toledo, Ohio, father and mother-in-law; Homer and Rose Rozier, Dudley, Georgia; brother and sister-in-laws; J. C. (Carol) Rozier, Hinesville,Georgia, Dorothy (Lawson) Carr, Dublin, Georgia, Jerome Rozier, Dudley, Georgia, Myrtle Santiago, Rochester, New York and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

Serenity Funeral Home, Dublin has charge of arrangements.

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