Robert Hal Johnson

Robert Hal (Malcolm) Johnson was born in Lebanon, Tennessee, on January 30, 1949, the only child of Blanche and Jerry Johnson. Hal loved spending time on his grandfather’s Hereford farm with his many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Hal attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and earned his BA in Education. He also met his future wife Sherrye there. Having been together for almost 48 years, they had many adventures together, including living in Florida on an island with no running water or electricity for a year. Upon returning to the Memphis area, Hal taught special education in the Benton County, Ms. School system, while Sherrye attended law school. Obtaining his Masters degree in Psychology and Administration, Hal went on to work as a School Psychologist at both Memphis City and Shelby County Schools for more than 20 years, before retiring, and then working independently with the gifted program in Shelby County Schools for several more years.

Hal was a talented musician, playing guitar and writing and performing his own songs. He loved life in the country and his farm in Benton County, Ms. He was an enthusiastic fisherman and chicken farmer. He and Sherrye loved to travel, visiting Amsterdam and Vancouver multiple times with their close friend Susan. Hal was known for his sense of humor and quick wit, his kindness to others, and his great enthusiasm for life.

Hal is survived by his wife Sherrye Brown, and his sister-in-law Beverly Karnes(Mike), and his nieces, Kimberly Perkins(Jay) and Amber Boshell(Mark), and his great niece Liv Lane Perkins. A visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home on Friday, February 7th from 4-6pm with a graveside service at Jones Hill Cemetery in Watertown, TN on Sunday, February 9th at 1pm.