Joseph Darrell Johnson's Obituary
Joseph Darrell Johnson, 87, died peacefully at his home in Memphis, TN. Mr. Johnson was born in Carrol County, TN in 1924 to Joseph Benjamin and Thelma Johnson, the eldest of five siblings. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Mary Lois, his son, Joseph Darrell Johnson II and his wife Mary Helen, his daughter Paula Gardner and her husband Dr. Harvey Gardner. He was very proud of his six grandchildren and their spouses; Jason & Amy Chambers, Neal & Jeanette Chambers, Scotty & Wendy Chambers, Dr. Jay & Dr. Tonia Gardner, Dr. Mary Katherine Johnson & husband Andy Dempster, and Joseph Benjamin Johnson. The light of his life were his four great granddaughters: Kylie, Lilah, McKenna, and Marissa Chambers. He is also survived by his brother, Dale Johnson of Boulder, Colorado and many special nieces and nephews. Joseph Darrell Johnson began his life of service to his family and his country on the family farm in Carrol County at an early age. Joe to his friends and Darrell to his family, he continued serving by joining the US Navy at 18 in 1943 and became a Hospital Corpsman first class, serving in the Admiralty Islands of the South Pacific caring for causalities from the Pacific Theater. After WW II, Darrell served at the Kennedy VA Hospital in Memphis before being recalled to service for the Korean War. After the Korean War, Darrell returned to Memphis where he raised and cared for his family. He served his community by working with the Boy Scouts of America, and at White Station Church of Christ where he served as a deacon. He retired from the US Postal Service after 44 years of government service. Joseph Darrell Johnson was a kind, humble, patriotic, Christian who served his Lord, his fellow man, and his country. He left his family with a fine and complete example of how to live a Christian life and will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, November 12, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 13, also at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society. Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, Tennessee 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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