May 21, 1947 – Feb. 15, 2013

EDWARDS — Services for Deacon Richard Johnson, 65, of Jackson, who died Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at his residence, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ratliff Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Edwards.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Lakeover Funeral Home in Jackson.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Johnson was born May 21, 1947, in Natchez, the fourth of 12 children born to Mose and Johana Johnson.

Richard accepted Christ at an early age at Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Natchez. He united in holy matrimony with Lucy Gaddis on May 5, 1977. Richard was a loving husband, devoted father and dedicated deacon. He was a member of Ratliff Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Edwards.

Richard was an alumnus of Sadie V. Thompson High School, Natchez Junior College and Jackson State University. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and a dedicated employee of Delphi (Packard Electric/General Motors) of Clinton for more than 30 years. He also served as the district seven IUE Local No. 698 president for 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Stella Stein Anderson; and one sister-in-law, Bobbie Johnson.

Survivors include a loving and devoted wife, Lucy Johnson; two children, Stephanie Anita Johnson of Pearl and Richard LuShun Johnson and wife, Krystal, of Jackson; six grandchildren, Deja Johnson, Matthew Washington, Richard “R.J.” Johnson, Stephanie Washington and husband, Ary, Krystianna Johnson and Peyton Johnson; five sisters, JoAnna Johnson and husband, Eugene Jr., of Mound Bayou, Shirley Nash and husband, Hillary, of Chicago, Emogene Johnson and Tywanna Johnson, both of Natchez, and Melva Davalt and husband, Michael, of Fayette; six brothers, Mose Johnson and wife, Etha, Jesse Johnson, Earnest Johnson and wife, Claudia, and the Rev. Jerry Johnson and wife, Patricia, all of Natchez, Joseph Johnson of Jackson and Henry Johnson and wife, CaSandra, of Vicksburg; little brother/nephew, Keithrick Johnson of Natchez; goddaughter, Vontina Barefield of Natchez; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, extended relatives and friends.