Southampton Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Johnson, William, 1927 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ WILLIAM JOHNSON, HONORED FRANKLIN CITIZEN, DIES AT AGE OF EIGHTY Franklin lost one of its finest and best citizens in the death here early Monday morning of William Johnson, in his eighty-first year. Mr. Johnson had been confined to his home most of the time by a partial stroke of paralysis sustained about seven years ago, the immediate cause of his death being bronchial pneumonia. During these years of semi-invalidism he was a familiar and beloved figure, sitting every sunny day on the porch of his hospitable home in Norfleet Street where his cheery word of greeting to all passers-by and his never-failing optimism were, an inspiration and a benediction to all who knew him - and his friends were many. His mind clear and keen to the last, he kept himself abreast of the times, being a tireless reader and unusually well informed, giving to every phase of current events the benefit of a homely philosophy and delightful humor which made him beloved by all his neighbors. The keenness of his mind upon all questions, his vast store of information accumulated through a long and useful life, his friendliness and neighborliness - these were the externals. Beneath it all there was a strength of character, an unquestioning Christian faith, a passion for righteousness rarely equalled in anyone of our acquaintance. Mr. Johnson was born in Scotland County, N.C., October 1, 1846, the son of Duncan and Mrs. Mary McPhatter Johnson. He served ably and well through the last years of the War Between the States in a North Carolina command in the armies of the Confederacy. In 1871 he married Miss Sallie Flowers of Anson County, N.C., who survives him, and their golden wedding anniversary celebrated here in January, 1921, was an event of unusual interest and pleasure to the family and their host of friends. He was a farmer all of his active life, and in 1904 moved with his family to the Franklin community, making his home in the town for the last several years. Since boyhood he had been a member of the Baptist Church and his loyalty and faithfulness to his church were in every way commensurate with his enthusiasm and reliability to all of the obligations of life. He was also a member of Urquhart-Gillette Camp, United Confederate Veterans of this town. He is survived by his aged wife and five children: T.P. Johnson of Philadelphia and J.A. Johnson of Franklin, Mrs. Geo. W. Livermon and Miss Sallie Johnson of Norfolk and Miss Carrie Johnson of this town. He also leaves two brothers, Dr. Livingston Johnson of Raleigh, editor of the Biblical Recorder, and Dr. Archibald Johnson of Thomasville, N.C., editor of Charity and Children, and by one sister, Mrs. W.J. Matthews, of Wagram, N.C. Funeral services were held from the Franklin Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, conducted by his Pastor, Rev. R.D. Stephenson, assisted by Dr. Sparks W. Melton of Norfolk and Dr. M.L. Kesler of Thomasville, N.C., an old friend and pastor of Mr. Johnson's. "How Firm a Foundation" and "In the Cross of Christ I Glory" were sung by the choir and Gregg Shawen of Freemason Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, sang "The Christian's Goodnight." Burial followed in Poplar Spring Cemetery, the body bearers being: J.F. Bryant, Jr., W.O. Bristow, J.L. Camp, Jr., P.R. Camp, R.C. Campbell, J.B. Gay, W.H. Lankford and Paul Scarborough. The honorary pallbearers were: A.L. Gardner, R.E.L. Watkins, Dr. J.C. Rawls, D.T. Prince, Gen. C.C. Vaughan, J.B. Vaughan, I.E. Howell, J.R. Howell, B.M. Cutchin, R.H. Harrell, Dr. W.H. Arthur, W.C. Watson, G.M. Whitley, R.I. Beale, C.A. Cutchins, Jr., N.L. Carr, Dr. B.J. Ray, E.S. Eley, G.R. Eubank, John Haslett, H.L. Westbrook, J.T. Edwards, Tom Cobb, T.W. Cobb, C.J. Edwards, C.V. McGhee, J. Tom Butler, D.A. Holland, Dr. J.L. Lawless. ****************************************************************************** Local Paragraphs [...] Relatives and friends who were in Franklin for the funeral of William Johnson Tuesday were: T.P. Johnson of Philadelphia, Mrs. Geo. W. Livermon and daughters, Misses Ruth and Martha, of Norfolk, Dr. Livingston Johnson of Raleigh, Dr. M.L. Kesler of Thomasvillle, general manager of the North Carolina Baptist Orphanage, Dr. Ira D.S. Knight and W. Frank Robertson of Norfolk and Franklin Simmons Trantham of Savannah. [...] William JOHNSON, retired farmer, Confederate veteran, b. 1 Oct 1846, Wagram, Scotland Co., NC, d. 21 Feb 1927, at home, Franklin, interred in Poplar Spring Cemetery (Section 2, Plot 88*), Franklin, 22 Feb 1927, "Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Vol. 22, No. 20, Fri., Feb. 25, 1927, pp. 1 & 10 *Additional information: Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS}, Cemetery Project, Poplar Spring list: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/poplar2.txt Photos of his gravestone - added by George Seitz & Nancy Kriigel - are posted with Find a Grave Memorial #19080411, which gives William C. No D.Cert. found His widow's obit ("Tidewater News," Mar. 21, 1930, p. 5) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/j525s5ob.txt He served in Co. I, 3rd NC Junior Reserves (Infantry). His widow applied for a pension 1 Apr 1927. The regimental history of the 13th VA Cavalry has him confused with W.E. JOHNSON. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/j525w18o.txt