Lee J. Johnson

Services to commemorate the life of Lee “Jay” Johnson will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Williams Funeral Home with Elder Australia W. Banks, eulogist and Rev. Vernon Moody, Sr., officiating. Interment will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia. The family will receive friends one hour before service time.

We thank you, in advance, for the love and respect you have had for Lee over the years. We hope that you can continue that display of love; however, due to COVID there will be limited seating, and masks are required upon entry into the facility.

Lee J. Johnson was born on May 16, 1944, in Vaden, Arkansas to the union of Edward, Sr., and Annie Bell Pigg Johnson. His father and mother toiled hard to support his family. They taught Lee the value of hard work and the responsibility of a man to support his family.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. He was a lifelong member of the Church of the Living God Pillar and Ground of the Truth in Vaden, Arkansas. Lee grew up to be a tall and handsome young man. He attended Bell High School and later joined his brother, L. H. Johnson, and worked for him as a logger. Lee was taught early in his life the value of hard work and being independent. He worked for the International Paper Company and Shields Mills. In 1995, he retired from Reynolds Metal Company after 32 years of service.

His 33-year marriage to Linda D. Melbert Moody was one of adventure, friendship, and love. They lived life to the fullest and they encouraged others to do so, to “let loose”.

Lee was an avid outdoorsman and he took advantage of his all-time hobbies, hunting, fishing, and cooking. He was a member of the Big Ben Hunting Club and served as a trustee of the Vaden Cemetery. He possessed a warm and genuine personality. His son Rodney gave him the nickname, “Shoke” and his grandson, Vernon, Jr. (Laterrica), and God-grandson Kenny (Tawana) named him “Big Game” and to others, he was simply “Jay”.

Lee was a “jack-of-all-trades”, there was nothing that he couldn’t do, or wouldn’t try at least once. He enjoyed listening to quartet music and the tunes of Smokie Robinson. He passionately loved his family and always made himself available for them. On January 29, 2022, after a full and rewarding life, Lee passed from this life. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Jar’Veez Price and four brothers, Ozie Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, Billy Wayne Johnson, and Holman Johnson.

He leaves his memory etched in the hearts of his wife, Linda; his children, Rodney (Wilma) Johnson of McKinney, TX and Beverly Johnson of Sparkman, AR; his bonus children, Marvin Moody of Little Rock, AR, Vernon (Ruby) Moody, Sedrick Moody both of Arkadelphia, and Youlanda (Terrence) Giles of North Little Rock, AR;  two sisters, Ida Mae Matlock of Mt. Pine, AR and Bobbie Jean Cole of Queens City, NY; three brothers, L.H. (Christana) Johnson of Sparkman, AR, Edward Johnson of Sparkman, AR, and James (Louise) Johnson of Ft. Wayne, IN. He also leaves four grandchildren, bonus grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and numerous friends.

Bearers of the casket will be Tommy Hill, Vernon Moody, Jr., Kenny Williams, Jr., Sedrick Moody, Wayne Henry Johnson, and Quency White.