Reverend Merrell Johnson

Retired Presiding Elder Reverend Merrell Johnson, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather and uncle was born on January 17, 1932 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He was the third child born to the union of Proncell Johnson, Sr and Lillian Wells Johnson.

He graduated from Douglas High School, Sulphur Springs. He attended seminar classes at Paul Quinn College in Waco, TX. He received an honorary degree from Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, TX.

He moved to Fort Worth for better opportunities. One of those opportunities just happen to pass in front of the big glass window while he was getting his shoes shined in the form of Ruby McCullough. The look that passed between them led to a love that lasted well over seventy-one years. Merrell and Ruby were married on June 14, 1952, beginning a union characterized by love, respect and honor.

Merrell started working for the C&C Candy Company and later at Lone Star Candy Company where he learned to be a Master candy maker. We will all miss those peanut patties, peanut brittle, rope lollipops (large and small), peppermint barber poles and chocolate confections. He wanted to share his trade with the community, so he and his wife opened a business called “The Sweet Shop” in the heart of Lake Como on Bonnell. The business sold hamburgers, coney island dogs, donuts, cookies and all types of homemade candies. It was a haven for teenagers where he told them about a man named Jesus.

The couple decided to each leave their existing Churches and joined Johnson Chapel AME Church where he joined the choir and he honored the Lord with his voice. It was while a member at Johnson Chapel that Merrell heard the voice of the Lord and answered the call to preach under the tutelage of Rev. O.T. Austin. His illustrious career as a pastor/preacher included Greater Allen Temple (Irving), Jenkins Chapel (Dallas), St. James (Fort Worth), Greater Garth Chapel (Dallas), Visitors Chapel (El Paso), Anderson Chapel (Wichita Falls) and “Historic” Allen Chapel. Each Church will definitely remember his melodious voice whether in speech or song.

At each Church he was an active member of the community, meeting the neighbors surrounding the Church, attending rallies/community meetings, clothes give-a-aways, starting food banks, feeding the homeless and back-to-school events. During his tenure at Anderson Chapel, he was invited to Cape Canaveral to pray for the astronauts before the launch of the shuttle. He was known for Church stewardship initiatives such as an authentic Hawaiian luau with a roasted pig

and dancers, a sock hop, the Biggest Little wedding and a Fall carnival. He even graced the airways with a 15 minute AM radio spot while pastoring at “Historic” Allen Chapel.

Bishop John R. Bryant elevated him to the position of Presiding Elder of the Southwest Conference, which he renamed the Sweet and Sanctified Southwest Conference. He retired at the age of 75 as Presiding Elder of the Southwest District. He moved his membership to “Historic” Allen Chapel where he preached every forth Sunday, taught a noon bible study, and taught the Men’s Sunday School class. He continued to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who crossed his path at the supermarkets, doctor offices and restaurants. His message remained “God loves you, I love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Throughout his numerous health issues, he never stopped praising the Lord. The Sunday before his death, him and his oldest daughter, Marilyn, spent hours singing and praising the Lord. On Monday, February 12, 2024, just weeks after his 92nd birthday, God saw that he was weary and He knew what was best. He came down and stood beside him, and whispered your mansion is ready. Come on home, Merrell.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Proncell Johnson, Sr and Lillian Wells Johnson, one sister Rev. Doris J. Turner, and two brothers Rudolph Johnson and Proncell Johnson, Jr.

Married to Ruby McCullough Johnson for seventy-one years, Rev. Johnson, leaves his wife and four daughters to celebrate his life and legacy: Marilyn Johnson, Gwendolyn Nannette Johnson, Kim Shaunette Stewart (Terrace) and Vanessa Renee Johnson (Mark Francis). Also celebrating his life and legacy are six grandchildren Anthony Johnson (LaDonna), Tameika Jackson (Tarik), Kemesha Shaheed, Erick Johnson (Tiffiny), Kelton Stewart, Aureyelle Lee (DD) and eight great grandchildren Ebony Jackson, Montoya Johnson, Briana Clegg (Steven), Tiana Jackson, Tamia Jakson, Marion Jackson, Olivia Lee, and Alexis Lee and four great-great grandchildren Braylen Johnson, Jenisys Johnson, Jaxson Clegg and Aubry Clegg , several generations of nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.