Donald Joel Johnson was born in Anniston on August 22, 1953 to parents Charles Edward Johnson and Venna Orelia Johnson. He passed from his earthly life into eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, June 11, 2018.
Services for Donald will be Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary. Pastor Mike Owens will officiate the service and burial will follow at Seven Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.
Donald attended church all his years of growing up, but he did not have peace with Jesus until the latter years of his life. In his mature age, he came to fully understand John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Donald lived out the rest of his life sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ with all he came in contact with. He was a devoted husband and loved his wife Kay from the time her met her at 20 years old. He loved his daughters, Michele and Katie, and his grandchildren with a passion. He was a devoted Christian, a member of Leatherwood Baptist Church, and he spent time daily reading his Bible and devotionals. He was an avid Alabama fan. As a young man, he loved playing sports with friends, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He attended school at Cedar Springs and then Jacksonville High School, graduating in 1971. He spent his life growing up in the Angel, Seven Springs, and Jacksonville area. Donald was a house painter by trade, ran a press at Magic Chef for many years, and he spent his latter working years at Federal-Mogul.
Donald is survived by his wife, Kay; his daughters, Michele Hilburn (Alan) and Katie Wood (Joe); his mother, Orelia Johnson; brother, Gene Johnson (Jeannie); grandchildren, Zelley, Alison, Jude, and Kenzie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Ed; brother, Steve; baby brothers, Larry and David; baby sister, Tamera, and step-father, James Arthur Johnson.
Pallbearers will be Shayne Johnson, Tim Williams, Joey Fortenberry, Tim Lane, Tommie Taylor and Greg Williams.
