Mr. Albert Johnson

Brother Albert Johnson was born in Belcher, Louisiana, February 16, 1933, to Ford and Eleasie Johnson. He was the fifth of ten children. Later, the family moved to Boosier City, Louisiana, where Albert spent his school years in the Bossier City School System. In 1952, Albert met and married the love of his life, Clara Abney, of Shreveport, Louisiana. From this union came two sons, Matthew and Costello. Albert was preceded in death by his beloved wife Clara Johnson, his son Matthew Johnson, his grandson Marcus C. Alan Johnson, his parents Ford and Eleasie Johnson, his brothers Alfred B., John L., Leon, Leroy and Ford Jr., his sisters, Pressie Lee Kirkendoll and Elizabeth Mayweather. As a young man, many may be surprised to learn that Bro. Albert Johnson was an avid golfer. Early on, he caddied for professional golfers and had aspirations of becoming a pro golfer himself. However, in early 1953, Albert began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He excelled in knowledge and appreciation for Bible truths. Later, he was moved to dedicate his life to the Almighty God Jehovah and was baptized in September of 1953. As a faithful servant of Jehovah for some 68 years, Brother Johnson proved to be a fearless preacher and teacher of God’s word the Bible. His zeal for the ministry impacted the spiritual lives of countless men, women and children. Driven by Jehovah God’s Holy Spirit, his love for people, his concern for people and his mentorship, especially of the young men in the congregation, was well known and appreciated both far and wide. There’s an old adage that says, ”People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care!” And this was a key to Bro Johnson’s effectiveness in the ministry. He cared deeply about all those with whom he shared the Bible’s message of hope. People were put at ease by his down to earth demeanor, coupled with his infectious laughter that would often leave them laughing too. During the early days of the Wabash Congregation (now known as the Bronzeville Congregation), Bro. Johnson took the lead as Presiding Overseer, before the elder arrangement was established. He worked tirelessly alongside such spiritual men as, Bro. James Sydnor Sr., Bro. Sam Jackson, Bro. Elzie Banks Sr., and Bro. Marion Bridges. During that time, it was not unusual for congregations to have an abundance of young brothers and sisters reaching out to become pioneers, ministerial servants, elders and Bethelites. There were at least fifteen young married couples in the Wabash congregation during that time and nearly all of them were married by Bro. Albert Johnson. They were focused on spiritual things and spiritual advancement. This was certainly owing in part to the fine example of loving shepherds, especially Bro. Johnson. Perhaps, even before it was officially put in print, Bro. Johnson had a method for developing and nurturing strong friendships among the brothers in the congregation. It was his routine that after working together in the ministry, everyone was invited to “break bread” or sit down and enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee together. This practice endeared Bro. Johnson to the young men in the congregation and it helped them in turn, to forge strong bonds of friendship with one another. In a good way, Bro. Johnson was affectionately regarded as the “spiritual pied-piper,” as many brothers were motivated, in harmony with (Heb 13:7), to imitate his example of faith. In his later years, Bro. Johnson determined to make a special effort to contact and encourage all whom he could find, to return to Jehovah before the end of this system. He made this a theocratic project, and his efforts were blessed by Jehovah, as a number of lost sheep are now once again, back in the fold, as servants of Jehovah. Fittingly, Brother Johnson experienced the fulfillment of the Bible’s promise found at (Lu 6:38). “Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.” Bro. Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law, Costello and Philda Johnson, regularly kept in touch with him and made sure that he was being cared for. At one point they were ready to leave their home in Las Vegas and move back to Chicago, in order to take care of Bro. Johnson. Their love and concern was undoubtedly very reassuring. However, he convinced them that loyal brothers, like Robert Tate, Isaiah Morgan, James Martin, Leonard Craig and others, were faithfully driving him to doctor appointments, business appointments, grocery shopping and anywhere else that he needed to go. Bro. James Martin made sure that even at 88 years old, Bro. Johnson was equipped with a laptop, a tablet and an iPhone that he used to be present at every theocratic meeting, via Zoom. And not only was he present, but he was still active in giving parts and offering up-building comments on the Christian Life & Ministry Meeting, as well as the Watchtower study, where he gave a stirring comment on the final day of his earthly life. Bro. Johnson further experienced the fulfillment of (Lu 6:38), as Sis. Glennye Redeaux, Sis. Ressie Austin, Sis. Beatrice Anderson, Sis. Verna Rankin and others, all made sure that Bro. Johnson never worried about his next meal. The family further acknowledges the loyal support of Bro. & Sis. James and Glenda Sydnor Jr., Bro. Robert Redeaux, Bro. Charles Austin, Bro. Duane Jones and many others. As we contemplate the life course of Bro. Albert Johnson, we can be certain of what makes a servant precious in the eyes of Jehovah. It is not their academic or financial status, it is not their natural ability or eloquence of expression, but rather it is their heartfelt love for Jehovah God and their love of fellow man, as reflected in humble acts of obedience to God’s laws and his principles. (Mic 6:8) (1Jo 5:3). On Sunday, January 9, 2022, Brother Johnson, faithfully finished his earthly course. His loss, truly defines the meaning of the phrase, “bitter-sweet.” While we mourn the fact that he is no longer with us in the flesh, we nevertheless, rejoice when faithful anointed ones receive their everlasting, heavenly reward. Bro. Johnson leaves to cherish his memory, his loving son and daughter-in law, Bro. & Sis. Costello and Philda Johnson. Both are loyal servants of Jehovah God, whom Bro Johnson trusted and dearly loved. Wisely, he put it into their capable hands to carry-out his final wishes. Also, left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Ernestine of Louisiana and Ruth Mitchell of Texas, his loving daughter-in-law, Marie Johnson, his grandson, Matthew Jr., his dear granddaughters Maria and Lisa Johnson, great grandsons, Kordell and Korbin, a host of relatives and a very large spiritual family of dear friends, including, James and Glenda Sydnor Jr., Robert and Glennye Redeaux, SL and Antoinette Magee, Robert Tate, James Martin, Isaiah Morgan, Leonard Craig, Charles and Ressie Austin and longtime friends of the family, Bro. Samuel Overstreet and Sis. AB Jones.

Tributes

Mr. Albert Johnson

February 16, 1933 - January 9, 2022