Win Johnson

Isaiah Winford (Win) Johnson, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on February 10, 2026. Win was born In Durham, NC, on October 26, 1937, to Lula Strickland Johnson and Carl Winford Johnson. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, formerly Richmond Professional Institute. It was there he met his soulmate and future wife, Linda Louise Ramsaur. They were thereafter known as Win and Lin and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last June.

Win and Lin loved adventures and new opportunities as evidenced by his many successful career paths and world travels. He taught Distributive Education (DE) to high schoolers in Harrisonburg, VA, before being recruited to be the DE Coordinator in Rockingham County, Virginia and later became the State Supervisor for DE in the Virginia State Dept. of Education. In 1966, Win and Lin moved to Greensboro after being recruited by Carlyle & Company, formerly Jewel Box Stores Corporation as the Director of Management Development Program for Jewel Box Stores Corporation for their expansion goal of 500 jewelry stores. As part of developing the Management Training Program, Win went to Eskdale, England and was a student in the Outward Bound School. During his career with Jewel Box, he rose to District Supervisor for (18) jewelry stores.

After many years with Carlyle & Co, Win started a new venture with the development of Concept Marketing, Inc. - The Pierced Ear with his long-time friend Larry Moore, based in Morehead City, NC. Win, Lin and their girls loved the ocean, so they built a house on Pine Knoll Shores. In 1989, after years of developing and building The Pierced Ear Stores, they moved back to Greensboro where he began his next career in retail/commercial construction, Win and Associates, Inc. You can see his vision across Greensboro including at Bryan Park Soccer Complex, Cass Jewelers, and Stamey’s Barbecue (Battleground) as well as in Durham at The Streets at Southpoint.

Through the years, Win and Lin took the opportunity to travel to countries throughout the world. In 2018, they embarked on their dream cruise, a five-month journey around the world. For the last several months, he has relived their life journey together through daily stories detailing their adventures to Lin as she has been dealing with Alzheimer’s.

Win is survived by his loving wife, Lin, daughters Fara (Kerry) Bowden, Chincoteague, VA, Tam Johnson (Bruce Smith), granddaughter, Ryan Burris Romie, grandson Patrick Huber, Greensboro. Sister Jeane Batten, Greensboro. two nieces, Kristy Stout and Kelly (Chris) Duerk, four great nephews, and two great nieces. Special thanks to the Friends Homes, we truly appreciate the love, friendship and dedication from Assisted Living Staff and Whittier Skilled Nursing and Memory Care for their loving care of Dad and continuing care of Momma as her journey continues through Alzheimer’s.

To celebrate our Dad, in “True Win Fashion”, we will share stories, laughter and friendship! It will be held in the Living Room at Friends Homes Guilford Campus, on February 28, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, and per Dad’s request, we welcome donations to the Friends Homes (Employee Assistance) Fund. In our many lengthy hospital visits over the past several months, Dad and I talked about how I could not have taken care of both him and momma’s daily needs, taken him to all his many doctor’s visits, stayed with him in the hospital, etc… without the Friends Homes Staff to care for him and especially Momma when I was unable to visit her.

Friends Homes Donation – Apply My Gift To: (Employee Assistance)

https://friendshomes.networkforgood.com/projects/52900-friends-homes-inc-online-giving