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Extracted from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, MS)
Tuesday, January 30, 1996

Rev. Silas Johnson

Plantersville -- The Rev. Joseph Silas Johnson, 87 died Monday, Jan 29, 1996, at the Baldwyn Nursing Facility after a long illness. He was a native of Crockett, Texas. He was a retired pastor whose ministry spanned over 60 years. He served as a Chaplain in the U. S. Army in England and France during World War II and attained the rank of captain. From 1947 to 1952 he served as pastor of Noxapator Baptist Church (formerly MT. Carmel Baptist Church). From 1952 to 1967 he served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Plantersville. He served as pastor of several charges in both Union and Itawamba counties for the United Methodist Conference from 1967 to 1987. He taught high school English in both the Lee county and Tupelo public schools during the 60's and 70's. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plantersville.

Services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday at the First Baptist Church of Plantersville with the Rev. Kenneth Corley and the Rev. Sam Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in Plantersville Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife Cathryn V. Johnson of Plantersville, whom he married in 1942; two daughters, Cathy Garrett and Betsy Conaway, both of Jackson; one son, Paul Johnson of Jackson; one brother, Charles Johnson of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Ricky Borden, Benji Borden, Laura Conaway, Tara Conaway, Brian Conaway, Vance Johnson, Deanne Johnson; one great-grandchild, Clay Borden.

Pallbearers will be Carroll Mitchell, Lawrence Estes, Floyd Wright, Billy Roberson, Murray Barnett, Harry Grayson, Morgan Estes, and Phillip Enis. Honorary pallbearers will be James Herndon, Stanley McKay, Bruce Little, Isaac Riley, and Zack Grant.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 P.M. and from 6 to 9 P.M. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church 30 minutes before services Wednesday.