P’Earl Roland Johnson was born on March 12, 1938 to the late Mr. Pearl Johnson, Sr. and Mrs. Frances Seay Johnson, of Hunstville, Alabama and was the youngest of eleven children. He departed this life on February 16, 2020 at the age of 81. He leaves to cherish in memory his devoted wife of 51 years, Roberta (Williams) Johnson; his daughters; Nutrena Johnson, Rolanda Johnson, Terrlyn Jonas, Delvia Johnson Jones and Jacqueline Beason; two grandchildren; Camille Chamberlain and Harlen Keith; six great-grandchildren; sister; Mrs. Eunice Clay and a host of nieces, nephews; and many close friends.
Mr. Johnson attended Hooper Council High School in Huntsville, Alabama where he played football and ran track. After completing high school he attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama and majored in Agriculture. While there, he was active in the civil rights movement. Mr. Johnson was later drafted and served in the United States Army. After an honorable discharge, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to being an Engineer and Switchman at Norfolk Southern for 32 years, he was also an entrepreneur. He started Personal Services by Roland and Roland’s Lawn Services. With his lawn service, he manicured, designed and maintained beautiful landscapes for local residents including Atlanta Hawks basketball player Dominique Wilkins. His personal services included shining shoes at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. He took great pride in his businesses and truly relished the friends and connections he made as an entrepreneur.
Mr. Johnson had a real passion for people and never met a stranger. He always had a kind word, a funny joke, lots of questions, words of wisdom and encouragement to everyone he encountered. Some of his favorite past times were attending high school and college football games, playing golf, watching western movies, spending quality time with his daughters, granddaughter and sitting outdoors listening to R&B classics.
As a result of Mr. Johnson’s illness, he required full-time nursing assistance. In addition to his devoted family caring for him he was blessed to have private caregivers; Mrs. Monica Gerald, Ms. Rhonda Grant, Ms. Kirche Hall, and Mrs. Marie Roper. They always treated him with love, respect, compassion and dignity. As a result of their relationship, Mr. Johnson adopted these ladies as his daughters.
Mr. Johnson never took one day for granted. He believed in living life to the fullest and unapologetically. He was witty, loved to have a good time, and brightened the lives of many. He transitioned peacefully at home surrounded by a loving family. He will truly be missed but never forgotten.
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