Joseph C. Johnson

Joseph Cleo Johnson was born in Cresent, Oklahoma to the Parents of Rose and Jesse Johnson. Joe had seven siblings and was preceded in death by both parents and six siblings Malinda, Beatrice, Viola, Maxine, Grandville and Jesse Jr.

Joe had a love for sports, specifically football, unfortunately, at the young age of 14, he had a devastating knee injury which would end any possibility of playing at the collegiate level. In 1944, Dr. Charles Drew a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. performed surgery on Joe’s knee and continued to care for him throughout the rehabilitation process. At the time Joe was living with his sister Malinda in Washington DC and attending Howard University.

Joe returned to Topeka Kansas, finished High School and began working. Later he enlisted in the Navy and served until complications from the football injury got him an honorable discharge.

After his short Navy tenure, Joe spent some time in Topeka Kansas. Because of his insatiable desire for more education, he moved south and attended Oakwood College where we believe he acquired his love for music. In 1962, Joe received a B.S degree from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Al and in 1975 he received a masters from NYU.

During the early 50’s Joe was living with his sister, Melinda in Brooklyn, NY and working in Manhattan. This proved to be a defining time in his life, because, one day, on his way to work he met the love of his life, Thelma. The two were married 1958 and celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on December 28, 2022. Joe frequently joked by saying “I’m still serving time, followed by laughter,” referencing his long years of marriage.

Joe and Thelma spent the early years of marriage in Brooklyn, NY, enjoying one another’s company, establishing their careers, and socializing with an intimate circle of friends. To this date they have remained friends with those that are still living.

They went on trips outside the city, developed deep friendships and began families. Some of their children became lifelong friends.

In the late 50’s they lived in Jamaica Queens, NY, where Joe worked in a Punch Cards factory, “there were paper cards where holes would be punched by hand or machine to represent computer data and instructions.”

On July 15th 1964, Joe and Thelma completed their family with the birth of their beloved son, Cedric Johnson. Although Cedric was an only child, he was blessed with parents who were determined to ensure that his life was well balanced physically, mentally and socially, with childhood friends Grady, David and Steve.

Determined, not only, to create great family memories Joe worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He landed a job as an Administrator with the Federal Government which proved to be a pathway to future opportunities. He later transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a field administrator with territories in New York State and Puerto Rico. Joe not only loved his family, he proved it by providing for them, spending time with them vacationing in the Bahamas, taking cross country road trips and creating a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Joe had a commanding presence, a bright smile that could light up any room and a charming personality. Perhaps, one thing everyone will remember about him is that he was a people person and loved talking to anyone and everyone. The stories he told would always have his audience at the edge of their seats.

He loved writing and self-published two books: one, the “Management Retreat that morphed into the “Women”- The Umbrella Under Man’s Wing’s.”

After retiring in Las Vegas NV, Joe and Thelma moved to Suwanee Georgia. Some of Joe’s greatest joys came later in life when his grandchildren Lauryn and Kendall were born, and Joe gained the name of Grandpa. Both Joe and Thelma would attend musical events at their school and sporting events; and Grandpa looked forward to picking them up or dropping them off on their command.

Grandpa was blessed to experience milestones like the graduation of his granddaughter from High School and starting College and his grandson’s graduation from Middle School through his Junior year of High School. Grandpa was in the front row of many of their soccer and basketball sporting events.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife Thelma S. Johnson, his loving son Cedric J and wife Sheila W Johnson, as well as his two loving grandchildren, Lauryn and Kendall Johnson (all of Suwanee, Ga) and his loving sister Pauline (Denver, Co).

Reflections from the Family

My Dearest Joe, You and I have been living on borrowed time. I had plans for us to have few more travels together and enjoy a few more adventures in this life, but as we all know our plans are not God’s plans. Jermiah 29:12 states, “For I know the plans that I have for you”, With that being said, my dearest Joe, as long as I live, I’ll continue to honor or life together by focusing the many joys we shared. Life without you by my side is possible because I still feel your presence every day. This is not goodbye, this is just farewell. Rest well my beloved Joe, until we meet again.

~Your forever loving wife, Thelma S Johnson

Dad, from the day you brought me into this world it was your mission to equip me with the tools to navigate this life. You taught me to have pride in how I looked as well as how I carried myself when you were not around. I can still hear you saying, “always give 110% and know that your rewards will come,” maybe not immediately although they will come. At a young age you spent quality time teaching me how to navigate common home repairs, so that one day I would know how to make them in my own home. The greatest support was during my college years where you repeatedly emphasized the importance of education, the many lessons taught and guiding principles of being the best at what you do. Only God can heal the hurt and the void that occupies my heart, know that I still hear your voice, laugh at the stories you shared. My favorite being about Uncle Grand.

~Love you Dad more than words could ever express, “C”.

Thank you for being an Awesome Dad to me. Thank you for calling me from time to time to just say,“ What’s up and to check in on me. Thank you Dad for the tall stories that you have shared and for the loving way that you always cared. Thank you Dad for always including me too. Thank you Dad for being an “AMAZING“ you. With sincere love, affection and admiration.

~Loving you beyond infinity Sheila W. Johnson

My grandpa was the best person to have around. He had so many unique qualities, like being charming, in the way that he smiled and looked at me so adoringly. He was exceedingly creative as he self-published two novels. He was extremely knowledgeable and would often talk to me about African history and what it was like growing up as a young man during difficult times. I could always count on Grandpa to be very supportive, giving me excellent advice on any matters that I discussed with him.

~Grandpa has and will impact my life forever, Lauryn.

Grandpa, I just don’t know where to begin. How can I sum up the man that has always been such an integral part of my life for 17 plus years, the man I could share my joys as well as my fears with and you would indelibly always know just what to say. Grandpa, I cannot sum the undeniable, incredible man that you are in just a few words, but what I can do is share what you mean to me, that’s simple…Grandpa you mean the Absolute world to me. You and I are so much alike, both sharing the same middle name “Joseph”, both being born in the month of June (Grandpa’s birthday June 3rd and mine the 8th). We both hold quite true to those “Gemini” traits, Charismatic, Charming, and of course we also have a side to be reckoned with as loving as we are (LOL). I guess that’s why we understood one another, and we so often didn’t have to speak a word, but knew just what the other was feeling and always had each other’s back. You have instilled in me to always be intentional, to be intentional in whatever the assignment is at hand, to be diligent and to get the job done, (whatever that job may be) and to always put my best efforts forth. Grandpa, I will forever cherish our time together and I promise to share those memorable moments and stories that you shared with me with the family that I will have some day. Grandpa, I will continue to cherish and make you proud, Kendall.

~I love you Grandpa, Kendall Joseph

Inspired by the grandchildren in 2009

One of a Kind

You’re one of a kind,

We get a kick out of you making us laugh, all the time!

We love those great, tall tales that you tell us,

We sit quietly as little mice, as you tell your wonderful stories,

That you’ve creatively made up!

Yes, papa you surely know,

How we love, cherish and adore you so!

You take us to the parks, and out to ride our bikes,

You watch us joyfully as we head down the streets and hills

Yelling “Hold on tight!”

Now Papa we could never forget how you lovingly take part in our Lives,

Like being our driver to Gymnastics, Ballet and Piano

Now how many Papas do that?

And with such a glow! Yes, Yes Papa, you’re one of a kind!

We will love you forever and ever, even beyond the end of time!

So it’s Your day Papa and as we celebrate you, we share something

Extremely special with you,

Something even better than chocolate cake!

What we share with you, no other Papa will find,

Because Papa, when God made you, he made one of kind!

Love your Grandchildren

~Lauryn & Kendall