Funeral service for Jerry Morgan Johnson (Papa), age 85, of Gadsden, who died on Sunday, September 23, 2018, will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Fairview Baptist Church at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be at Collier-Butler Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Brother Gary Williams will be officiating the service. Burial will be at Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jerry was a 1951 graduate of Etowah High School and a member of the 1950 undefeated state champion football team. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Rexburg, stationed in San Diego. He was a millwright at the Cold Strip Mill for Republic Steel and Gulf State Steel. Jerry also attended Fairview Baptist Church. “I love my church family. God is good.”
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Georgia Bell Johnson and his sister, Margarette Beggs.
He is survived by his wife and his best friend of 65 years, Patricia Davis Johnson; two sons, Steve (Pamela) Johnson, David (Stacy) Johnson; grandchildren, Jeremy (Jessica) Johnson, Beth (Scott) Clark, Lane (Hannah) Johnson, and Ben Johnson; brother-in-law, Roger Davis; sister-in-law, Brenda Lay; nephews and nieces, Michael (Cindy) Beggs, Karen (Steve) Alford, and Kathy (Henry) Binkowski, Kristy Beggs, Marquita (Lewis) Campbell, Randy (Phyliss) Black, Gloria (Dean) Copeland, Jeff (Anita) Black, Robin Maise, Benji Gable, Joey Davis, Scott Sanford, Kelli (Ron) Tinsley, and Chris (Krista) Sanford.
Pallbearers will be the grandsons and Randy Black, Jeff Black, Charlie Glenn, and Paul Cromwell.
The honorary pallbearer is Frank Bynum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church Building Fund.
Special thanks to Dr. Stewart, Dr. James Robinson, Dr. Lucian Newman III, Dr. Paul Nordness, Meghan and Melissa with Amedisys Hospice, and Kylie Grooms with Alacare.
