Joseph Van Johnson's Obituary
Joseph Van Johnson died Sept. 16, 2013, at age 98. A native of Macon, GA, Mr. Johnson was the owner and manager of Johnson Stores, Inc., of Perry and Fort Valley for 47 years, until he and his wife, Catherine, retired in 1983. As a proud citizen and merchant of Perry, Mr. Johnson was on the Board of Stewards of the Perry United Methodist Church and the Perry Kiwanis Club.
After retirement, Mr. Johnson enjoyed yard work and travel. He relished the memory of two cross-country drives to California, a cruise to Alaska, and excursions across the borders of Canada and Mexico.
Mr. Johnson was predeceased by his wife of 73 years, Catherine Wood Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Dr. Nan Johnson of Perry and Dr. Kay Johnson McCrary (Robert John) of Columbia, SC; two granddaughters, Mary (Eldrige) Baylor of Columbia and Diana (Andrew) Hellmers of Burleson, TX; four great grandsons; a sister, Joanne (Virgil) Young of Fort Valley; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Watson-Hunt Funeral Home of Perry. There will be a visitation at the funeral home from 4 – 6 PM on Thursday Sept. 19. Funeral services will be held at the Perry United Methodist Church at 2 PM on Friday Sept. 20, with interment in Oaklawn Cemetery, Fort Valley, GA.
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