Josephine Morrell Johnson

Josephine (Josie, Jo, Jojo) Morrell Johnson, 85, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, October 20, 2020, in the care of Community Hospice at St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

She was born in Lyons, Toombs County, Georgia on November 4th, 1934 to John Lewis Morrell and Sallie Mae Wammock Morrell. Josephine was their only child, but she grew up in the company of five of her cousins, who were much like brothers and sisters to her. She attended school in Toombs County, and relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1948.

She was married to Herman Cecil Johnson on August 28th, 1954. They were married for 48 years and parented two children. She was a strong, loving and dedicated wife, mother and homemaker throughout her marriage, and she continued to be a source of strength and wisdom to her children well after her husband’s passing.

Josephine was an active member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville for several years, and was baptized there on August 10th, 2003. Her attendance in church strengthened her faith, and she was appreciative of the friendship and companionship she found amongst its members. She was a born-again Christian.

In her free time, she pursued various interests. She enjoyed traveling quite a bit, and she liked to plant a spring garden every year. She collected political memorabilia and dolls, and she was always ready to solve a new word puzzle, particularly a Sudoku or crossword puzzle. She was an animal lover and an advocate for their humane treatment. She loved music, especially the popular music of the 1950s, and she absolutely loved to dance. She loved Elvis!

Josephine is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Jo Johnson; grandson, Bret Joseph Hines, Jr.; granddaughter, Rachel Lauren Franzese (Antonio); great grandsons, Joseph Edward Hines and Charles Jacob Hines; daughter-in-law, Georgia Johnson; nephew, George Spicer (Marilyn), and many other nephews, nieces and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father, John Lewis Morrell; mother, Sallie Mae Wammock Morrell; husband, Herman Cecil Johnson; son, Gary Christopher Johnson; granddaughter-in-law, Heather Elaine Kittle Hines; great granddaughter, Kamie Rose Hines.

2 Timothy, 4:7-8

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.