Charles Eugene "Gene" Johnson

Gene was born in Jacksonville, Alabama, on January 15, 1947, the oldest son of Venna Orelia Williams Johnson and the late Ed Johnson. After graduating from Jacksonville High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Jacksonville State University followed by a master’s degree in administration from West Georgia College. Throughout his career as an educator and coach, Gene influenced countless lives in both Alabama and Georgia.

Gene began his career in education in 1968 when he became a teacher and head football coach at Ragland High School in Ragland, Alabama. From here he moved to Randolph County High School, and from 1969 – 1974, he was a teacher as well as head football and head basketball coach. In 1975, he became principal of Webster’s Chapel and also coached junior high basketball. In 1976, Gene left education to work as Claims Manager for Allstate Insurance. However, in 1981 he began volunteering as head coach for the junior high football team in Southside, Alabama, while still working for Allstate. Gene returned to education in 1987, and from then until 1991 he worked as a teacher, head basketball coach, and assistant football coach at Southside High School. In 1991, he became principal of Hokes Bluff Middle School, but he returned to Southside High School in 1993 as their assistant principal, head basketball coach, and assistant football coach. In 1997, Gene became principal of Southside High School, a position he held until his retirement from the Alabama Education System in 2004. Afterwards, he moved to Rome, Georgia, where he worked from 2004 – 2017 first as a teacher then as the assistant principal over discipline at Rome High School. In 2017, with reluctance and great sadness he retired due to his battle with cancer. In recognition of his many achievements, in 2018, Gene was awarded the Etowah County Legend Award.

Although Gene achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, his proudest accomplishment was being a Christian. He loved to share his joyous salvation through serving as a Sunday school teacher first at Southside Baptist Church and then at Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church as well as through serving as a deacon at Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church. He also made a joyful noise as a member of the Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church choir. Gene was a proud Alabama Crimson Tide fan, and he loved to travel, but where he most loved to be was with his family.

Gene is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Jeannie Ruth Truitt Johnson of Rome, GA; his children Susie (Chris) Gilbreath of Birmingham, AL., Shayne (Lesley) Johnson of Rome, GA., and Melissa “Missy” (Tim) Williams of Rome, GA; his cherished grandchildren Sydnie Bradford of Birmingham, AL., Dalton Bradford of Vail, CO., Grey Gilbreath of Birmingham, AL., Collin Johnson of Chattanooga, TN., Connor Johnson of Rome, GA., Caleb (Morgan) Williams of Dunwoody, GA., Brennan (Taylor) Williams Cline of Rydal, GA., and Maya Williams of Rome, GA; great-grandchildren Harper Grace Mills and Madilyn Cline (expected May 2021) of Rydal, GA., and Charlotte Ryan Williams of Dunwoody, GA; and his loving mother Venna Orelia Williams Johnson of Rome, GA.

In addition to his father, Ed Johnson, Gene was also preceded in death by his paternal grandparents James Lewis Johnson and Willie Mae Reynolds Johnson, his maternal grandparents JB Williams and Vennah Luther Smith Williams, his uncle James Arthur Johnson, his brothers Steve Johnson and Donald Johnson, his brother-in-law Johnny Clifton, and his sister-in-law Martha Truitt.

A visitation to celebrate Gene’s life will be held Tuesday, April 13, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) at Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church, 735 Old Summerville Rd. NW, Rome, GA, 30165. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CST) and the service beginning at 12:00 p.m. (CST) at Collier Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Dr. Gadsden, AL, 35901. Interment will follow at Seven Springs Cemetery (AL Hwy 204). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church Children’s Ministry, 735 Old Summerville Rd. NW, Rome, GA, 30165.

Pallbearers include: Caleb Williams, Keith Brownlow, Keith Clark, Jim Durall, Phil Goss, Kenny Green, Dean Ratledge, Greg Rayburn, and Todd Wheeler.