Jessie Ray Johnson, 92, went to be with his Lord on February 12, 2019, at The Meadows in Fulton, Mississippi. He was born June 21, 1926, to Jesse Robert and Melvina (Stacy) Johnson and lived in the New Site Community from youth. He graduated from New Site High School in 1945 and was a member of the 1945 State Basketball Championship team. His passion for basketball never ceased.
After high school he served in the U. S Army during World War II as part of the signal corp reaching the rank of Corporal. During his service he was stationed at Colby, Japan. After returning from the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Minnie Ravenelle Moore, on February 4, 1947, and remained a true, faithful, and devoted husband for 72 years. He attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College and received a Bachelors degree from Mississippi State University in Mathematics. He loved his Maroon and White.
He had a wide variety of interests and had a talent for doing just about anything. His career spanned a number of fields including teaching Mathematics, delivering mail for the U. S Postal Service, residential construction, training birddogs, and working 16 years as a Sales Representative for the Royster Fertilizer and Chemical Company. As an avid supporter of education, he served 12 years on the Prentiss County School Board as both a Member and Chairman. He loved farming both row cropping and cattle production. He took pride in his garden and eagerly shared it with many in the community.
He was a member and Deacon of Crestwood Baptist Church where he served as an adult Sunday School teacher, church clerk, and Treasurer. He was strong in his faith and loved sharing the gospel with others. He was such a wonderful dad who will be missed dearly by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Ravenelle Johnson; two sons, Stuart (Brenda) Johnson of Tupelo, Mark Johnson of Boston, Massachusetts; one brother, J.V. (Brenda) Johnson of Byhalia; four grandsons, Heath (Julie) Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee, Kirk Johnson, of Lexington, Kentucky, David (Tiffany) Johnson of New Site, Cayce (Cece) Johnson of Booneville; two step granddaughters, Shelley (Chase) Farmer of Tupelo, Kinney (Michael) Ferris of Oxford and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Robert and Melvina Johnson; a son, Stephen Brent Johnson; a brother, Roy Melvin Johnson, and sister-in-law, Sybil Lavelle Riddle.
The family would like to express our appreciation to Betty Michael for the care given to us over the years as well as the North Mississippi Medical Center and The Meadows staff.
Pallbearers will be David Johnson, Cayce Johnson, Heath Johnson, Kirk Johnson, Chase Farmer, Jonathan Riddle, and Jerry Johnson.
A celebration of his life will be held at McMillan Funeral Home in Booneville on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon.
