Service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 12 Noon from the Pleasant Hill B.C. in Hallsville, Texas; Pastor Harvel, Officiant and burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill Church Cemetery

What a gift it was to have Joseph Johnson, Sr. in our lives. He was born on July 10, 1932 in Hallsville, Texas to the late Alex Sr. and Ethel Lee Smith Johnson.

Joseph received his formal education in the Harrison County schools and accepted Christ at an early age uniting with the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church of Hallsville, Texas.

He was a hard-working man throughout his entire lifetime. Skilled in many areas, Joseph was last employed as a School Bus Driver for Longview Independent School District.

Joseph was married to Marie Fuller, his wife of more than 58 years. To this union nine (9) children were born. He later united with the East Cotton Street Church of Christ, where he raised his family remaining until his health failed.

Those closest to Joseph knew him as "Daddy Joe". As an out-doors man, he loved gardening and landscape. And of course his "grill skill" on the barbeque pit was always a winner! There are places in our memory that will forever remember his stories, traditions, his humor and generosity.

Mr. Joseph Johnson, Sr. lived 79 years by God's divine order, and graciously departed his earthly life on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. We know that he is home now, free, at peace, and in the presence of God.

He is preceded in death by three (3) children, Cynthia, Gary and Jerome and eight (8) siblings, Bernice, Dennison, Frank, Morice, Thelma, Velma, Virginia and Willie.

His memories will be treasured by six (6) children, Beverly, Brenda Jo (Elvers) Lacy, Barbara Denise (Charles) Phillips, Debra Kaye (Jesse) Reese all of Longview, Texas, Joseph Jr., and Carl Wayne (Kenya) both of Houston, Texas; ten (10) grandchildren, LaShanna (Jeremy) Washington, Rashell (Greg) Jackson, Cameo and April Phillips, Jamark (Chassity), Ketun, Jessica, and Jasmine Reese, Jordan and Brittany Johnson; nine (9) great-grandchildren, Ajah, Aayana, Dayla, Gabrielle, Justin, Ketian, Madeline, Michael and Pastel; three (3) brothers, Alex Jr., (Zelma), Benny (Lila Ray), Ulysses Sr., (Velma); five (5) sisters, Annie Ruth Tarver, Ethel Lee Winston, Lethia (Columbus) Isabel, Mary Marshall and Ruby Tucker; and many dear nieces, nephews, other family and friends