Freestone County, Texas Obituaries Fairfield Recorder June 15, 2007 issue Edward "Chief" Johnson, Sr. Funeral services were held Monday, June 4 in Fairfield for Edward "Chief" Johnson, 83, of Fairfield who died Tuesday, May 29 in Fairfield. Mr. Johnson was the first born of twins on April 14, 1924 in Freestone county to Eugene Larkin Johnson, Sr. and Emily White Johnson. He was a lifelong member of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the administrative board, lay leader, delegate to the Annual Conference, and Sunday school teacher. He received training from the Lay Speaker School in the former Palestine District to become a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church. After graduating from Dogan High School in Fairfield, he was drafted into the navy and was stationed in Corpus Christi for two years. After leaving the military, he attended Tillotson College in Austin, and received his bachelor of science degree in mathematics. He also did graduate studies at Texas Southern University in Houston. Mr. Johnson began his professional career as a teacher and basketball coach at his alma mater, Dogan High School. It was during his time there that he was given the nickname "Chief," because of his high red cheekbones. The nickname remained a legacy throughout his life. He met and married Lee Earl Richard on October 22, 1955, and they had two sons. He continued to work in the school system and was instrumental during the integration of the school system and community programs. While working as a teacher, he drove the school buses for many years because of the shortage of drivers. He retired from the Fairfield Independent School District after 37 years. Mr. Johnson served on the Fairfield ISD school board for 12 years, and was a councilman for the City of Fairfield. He served for 39 years as a reserve deputy with the Freestone County Sheriff's Department, receiving his Master Peace Officer designation in 1998 and Deputy of the Year in 1988. During his tenure he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He was also a member of the Freestone County Advisory Board and the Freestone County Retired Teachers Association. Services were conducted at 11 a.m. at the Johnson Activity Center, Fairfield High School, with Rev. Darrell Houston, Sr. of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church officiating. Also speaking at the service were Fairfield Mayor Roy Hill, Freestone County Sheriff Ralph billings, Fairfield ISD Superintendent Tony Price and Dogan Alumni President Mary Helen Malone. Burial was at Fairfield Baptist Cemetery. Pallbearers were members of the Freestone County Sheriff's Department, and honorary pallbearers were members of the Jones Chapel United Methodist Men. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Lee Earl Johnson; sons Edward Johnson, Jr. and wife Barbara of Lexington, Kentucky; and Randall Lee Johnson of Fairfield; A sister, Eleasie Foster and husband Lawrence; his twin brother, Edgar Johnson and wife Latrell of San Antonio; his sister-in-law, Dorsey Johnson of Fairfield; Three grandchildren, Elisia Johnson, Karneisha Johnson and Virginia Johnson; God grandson Darrell Houston, Jr.; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; daughter-in-law Sheila Johnson; and special extended family children Ricky and Yolanda Allen of DeSoto and Princess Banks of Cedar Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Eugene Larkin Johnson, Jr. Arrangements were made by Ross and Johnson Mortuary in Corsicana. =============================== Corsicana Daily Sun June 2, 2007 Death Notices 6/3/07 Edward "Chief" Johnson Sr., 83, of Fairfield passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Dallas Methodist Medical Center. Wake service and visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, 360 Church St., Fairfield. He will lie in state from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Johnson Activity Center, 615 Post Oak Road, Fairfield. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Johnson Activity Center with the Rev. Darrell Houston Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Fairfield Baptist Cemetery. Arrangements by Ross and Johnson Mortuary.