Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Monday, July 2, 2007

LEONARD LEE JOHNSON

Kilpatrick Funeral Home
West Monroe, LA

Funeral services for Mr. Leonard Lee Johnson, age 86, of Calhoun, LA, will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at Clark Springs Baptist Church in Eros, LA. Brother Dub Massey, Brother Neal Everett and Brother Jimmy Pitson will be officiating. Brother Jerry Lovett will bring the Eulogy. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Calhoun, LA.

Mr. Johnson was born on July 18, 1920 in Dry Prong, LA and passed on June 30, 2007 at his home in Calhoun, LA. Mr. Johnson is retired from The Manville Corporation in West Monroe, LA where he was employed for 29 years. Leonard was a lifetime servant of His Lord Jesus Christ. He never tired of always being active in every aspect of the Church he loved so much. He served as a Deacon for over 63 years and was a charter member of The First Baptist Church of Los Alamos, NM. He taught Sunday School for over 60 years. He loved music from early childhood. The old songs were his passion till the end. Love for his God and his family were always the driving forces in our Daddy's life. He served both with undying honor, sacrifice, commitment and grace. He was a man of unparalleled principal, undying faith and deep commitment. He never tired of doing God's work as well as looking out for his family. Mr. Johnson served in a civilian conservation corp in Dodson, and was a United States Navy Veteran, serving his country bravely, during World War II as a Signalman in the Atlantic and Pacific arenas.

He is preceded in death by his son Freddie Lee Johnson; father, William Doner Johnson; mother, Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Johnson; and sister, Ruby Irene Hudgins.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Dena Maloy Johnson; two sons, Leonard Lance Johnson and William Stephen ``Max'' Johnson and wife Carole, both of Calhoun, LA; four daughters, Mitzi Lanita George of West Monroe, LA, Karen Elizabeth Townsend and husband Kenneth of Crossett, AR, Lillian Kathleen Brough of Calhoun, LA, and Marilyn Rose Stephenson and husband Rick of Whitehall, AR. Sixteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; one brother, Huey Johnson and wife Fannie, three sisters, Clydell Nelson, Estelle Doane and Mattie Jones and husband Eugene; a host of nieces and nephews and so many good friends.

Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Clark Springs Baptist Church.

Visitation will be Monday, July 2, 2007, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Many words fall short in expressing our loss now but these are the ones that will last in our hearts: the unconditional love you shared with us, the unending sacrifices you made for us, and the goodness, commitment and unwavering strength you had for our family. All of these things will forever bind us together. We will miss you greatly, Daddy you were and remain our rock.