JOHNSON, CECIL STUART, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012 in Birmingham, Alabama at age 76 from complications associated with pneumonia, congestive heart disease, and kidney failure. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the 12 noon memorial service Friday, August 3, 2012 at Riverchase United Methodist Church. The graveside service will be at 11 a.m. (CST), Saturday, August 4, 2012 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dunlap, Tennessee. Stuart was born in Dunlap on February 21, 1936. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann; children, Jennifer (Tom) Luteran of Nashville, Tennessee, Jason Johnson of Pell City, Alabama, and Rebecca Barrette of Alabaster, Alabama; grandchildren, Eileen Barrette, Erin, Molly, and Trent Luteran; and one brother, Newell (Melcena) Johnson of Pine Mountain, Georgia. Stuart was an avid sports fan who loved playing golf and rooting for the Tennessee Volunteers. He graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1959 with B.S. and B.A. degrees. Two years later he received a M.S.C.E. from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Stuart was actively involved in Carson-Newman's alumni association and advancement activities for the remainder of his life, receiving the school's Medal of Merit. He began working as a chemist for Cramet, Inc., while attending the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. From there, he accepted a position as Manufacturing Supervisor for Brock Candy in Chattanooga, where he worked until 1963. His experience with candy-making formulas and his work in determining sugar's reaction to heat and cold proved invaluable when he decided to make the sugar industry his chosen profession. Following Brock Candy, Stuart accepted a position with American-Maize Products as Sales Manager for their Atlanta, Georgia office, a position he held for 13 years. He worked with Archer-Daniels Midland for several years in the late 1970s until he recognized an opportunity to establish a sales and service facility in Birmingham to provide sweetener products to customers across the South. As a pioneer in the production and distribution of corn sweetener products, Stuart established Mid-South Sweeteners — later Nutritive Sweeteners — on January 1, 1978. From one truck and one driver, Nutritive grew to become one of the largest sugar distribution and manufacturing companies in the United States, with annual revenues of over $300 million. In 1982, Stuart joined the Birmingham Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) as a member of the Camping Committee and the Advisory Board. Later that same year he was nominated to the Executive Board. In 1986 he was nominated to the Southern Regional Board of the Central Alabama Council of BSA and continued to serve on Boy Scout boards for over 30 years. Stuart was awarded Lifetime Membership by the BSA Heritage Societies of the Birmingham Area Council and Central Alabama Council. Additionally, he was, over the years, awarded a number of BSA honors, including two BSA National Endowment Awards (the Greater Alabama Council Founders Circle Silver Member and the Ernest Thompson Seton Member). In 1986, he was inducted into the Birmingham Area Council BSA Eagle Club. He was awarded the BSA Silver Antelope in 1997 and the Silver Beaver in 1989. Stuart and Ann Johnson were charter members of Riverchase United Methodist Church, where he was a long-time Sunday school teacher, and served on numerous boards and committees. He also served on the board of the Salvation Army and the board of the Methodist Home for the Aging. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Stuart Johnson's honor to Riverchase United Methodist Church, 1953 Old Hwy 31, Birmingham, AL 35244.
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