William Christopher Johnson

William Christopher (Chris) Johnson, was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on October 30, 1952 to the late Hugh Kenneth Johnson and Fannye Lee (Tweetly) Fuller Johnson. Chris had an older brother, the late Hugh Kenneth (Kenny) Johnson, Jr. and a 4 year old sister Malinda who passed away before his birth. A 1971 graduate of East High School in Memphis, Chris loved singing in the high school chorus, The Troubadours ensemble, choir tours to Europe and several musical theater presentations guided by the late Rose Gillespie.

Chris began his grocery career as the Deli Manager and Assistant Store Manager for Seessel’s Supermarket on Union Avenue. After leaving Seessel’s, Chris co-owned a meat market and grocery delivery service in East Memphis known as Chris Johnson and Friends with his friend, Mark Bintz. Chris later worked for Stepherson’s Grocery, more recently known as Superlo Foods and it was from there he retired.

Chris was formerly married to Kaye Wentworth Johnson Ivanoff and he leaves their daughter, Kristen Johnson Thomas and her husband Vino Thomas of Madison, Tennessee, grandson Kenny Allison of Gallatin, Tennessee and cousin Leon Parham of Cape Charles, Virginia. Chris’ wife, Sue Polk Johnson, preceded him in death as did stepdaughter Lisa Williams. He leaves stepdaughter Loretta Poteet and stepsons David Reno and Chuck Reno, step granddaughters Amanda Gray, Myranda Alsaadi and Kori Yancey and numerous step-great grandchildren and his brother-in-law, Joe Holland, who cared for him. Chris also leaves many long-time friends and other family members who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please honor his memory with a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.