Samuel Johnson was the 8th child of nine born to the late John Andrew Johnson Sr. and Della Morris.
Samuel was born in Sandersville on February 16, 1936, close to midnight, so he humorously used to say my birthday is between February 16 and February 17. He admired and loved his mother. To please and help her, at age 7 he started working in their garden, where they grew all types of vegetables and fruits except watermelons. The family was faithful followers of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Sandersville, GA.
Samuel moved to Cleveland at the age of 16, to follow his older brother John who moved there for a better life. There in Cleveland, also lived his older sisters. A brother-in-law recommended Samuel a job. His first job. He was hired by this Jewish business man who owned a business dedicated to all stationary products and typewriter machines. Samuel liked his boss. This new boss thought of Sam as a good and honest man who had suffered a lot in his life, starting from humbling origins and made his way up. Samuel felt accepted, appreciated and loved by this man. Samuel worked for his boss for thirty-two years then retired.
After retiring from the business, he became an entrepreneur and built his own business from the land he inherited from his parents in Sandersville, GA.
Samuel’s eyes sparked with a wit and curiosity. Three weeks before his passing, his eyes shined above the face mask he wore, he recognized family even though we were eight feet away, separated by two metal barriers. Those sparkling eyes still recognized family: he then said “aren’t you going to give me a hug?” We are hugging you Sam, we are hugging you now.
He was preceded in death by his brother John Willie Johnson, his sisters, Bessie Mae Cummings, Gladys Burpo, Louvenia (Lady) Daily, Eva (Eve) Brown and Wyda (Toad) McDougal; his nephews’ James Edward McDougal and John A. Johnson III. He leaves to mourn and cherish his loving memories: his daughter Arleen, his son Leslie Johnson (Rosa); his brother John A. Johnson Jr. (June) and his sister Katie Rea King. His lovely granddaughters Gabriella and Nadine Johnson, his nieces (Gwendolyn, Janice, Joyce, Gail, Barbra, Cassandra and Lorita) nephews (Louis Jr, Raymond, Kerry, Herman Cornelius, Roland, Derick, Tyrone) and a host of cousins and friends (Barbra Hayden).
Serenity Funeral Home, Dublin has charge of arrangements.
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