Extracted from The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, NC)
Tuesday, November 19, 1940

Z. M. JOHNSON

BENSON, Nov. 16 -- Several hundred relatives and friends assembled at the home Wednesday afternoon to attend funeral rites conducted by Rev. W. Yancey Moore, for Zerro [sic Zoro] M. Johnson, 66, whose death occurred in a Fayetteville hospital Tuesday morning, exactly a month following his admission to the hospital for a major operation. Recuperating satisfactorily, Mr. Johnson was expected to return home within a few days when he suddenly suffered a relapse and died in an attack of apoplexy.

Mr. Johnson, who was a well known farmer, was held in high esteem and was considered one of the most substantial citizens of his community.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Effie Raynor Johnson and nine children: Mrs. Callie McLamb of Clinton; Mrs. Lommie Wood and Miss Mary Belle Johnson of Benson; Charlie, Archie, Walter, Thomas, Jasper, and Paul of Benson; four sisters, Mrs. Sallie Hardison of Benson, Mrs. L. Eason, Mrs. Bettie Pilkington, and Mrs. Flonnie Turnage of Clayton; two brothers, Joe and Bud Oscar Johnson of Selma. Thirty-five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.

Interment was in the Banner's Chapel Advent Christian church cemetery.