Rene completed his primary education at A. B. Anderson and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1956. Immediately afterwards, he enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at Texas Southern University.
Later during Rene’s matriculation at TSU, he met and married Johnnie Bennett Johnson, another pharmacy student, and to this union three boys (Gerald, Vernon, and Jeffery) and one daughter (Pam) were born.
In 1959, Mr. Money presented Rene with an employment opportunity and hired him as a bus boy at the Houston Country Club. Later, he was promoted to waiter and then, maitre’d. Rene worked as maitre’d for 37 years. During his tenure at the club, he served three generations of some the wealthiest citizens in Houston, as well as two United States Presidents, George H. W. Bush (41) and George W. Bush (43). When he retired, former President Bush (41) and Barbara Bush attended his retirement celebration on January 5, 2003, honoring his exemplary service over the years.
In March 1993, Rene’s wife, Johnnie Bennett Johnson, passed away from a sudden and unexpected illness.
Rene then met Nora Nowlin and the two were wedded on February 10, 1996. Nora has a son (Matthew) and a daughter (Nikki). During this time, Rene and Nora enjoyed travelling and cruising throughout Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and various Caribbean Islands. They remained happily married until Rene’s untimely death.
Rene accepted Jesus Christ as Savior at an early age and was baptized. He was a member of Wright Grove Baptist Church. Later he joined Greater Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and became an ordained deacon and trustee.
Deacon Johnson loved and served his pastor, Rev. Michael Caldwell, to the best of his ability. He was President of Men & Women of Faith, a choir member, and served compassionately on the sick committee. On occasions, he also served as deacon at Nora’s home church, St. Paul MBC, under leadership of Rev. Archie W. Thompson Sr.
Rene engaged in civic duties as well. He served as treasurer for the Carver Estates Civic Club in the Acres Home community and as a member of Laurel Oaks HOA.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Deacon Rene Earnest Johnson was called home to be with the Lord. Preceding him in death were his grandparents; parents, Rene and Alice Johnson; daughter, Pamela; wife, Johnnie B. Johnson.
He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife, Nora Johnson; four sons, Gerald Johnson (Geraldine), Vernon Johnson, Jeffery Johnson (Aupra), Matthew Gundrum; one daughter, Nikki Marbley; one sister, Pearl Hayes; one brother, Howard Johnson (Melba); six granddaughters, Ashley Johnson, Jessica Robertson (Kolby), Amanda Johnson, Amayiah Johnson, Deidre Mills, Sania Marbley; one grandson, James Marbley and two great-grandsons, Braylon Simmons, Zion; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, other relatives and friends.
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