Edward Johnson Sr

Edward Johnson, Sr. entered this life on July 3, 1919, and was the third of eight children born to Lawrence Johnson, Sr. and Carrie Peade Johnson in Fairfield County, SC. All but one of his siblings preceded him in death. At an early age, Edward and the family relocated to Spartanburg, SC., where they owned and operated their own farm. The family was very resourceful and together they constructed homes and successfully established their own businesses.

Edward met and married Elizabeth Hurd in Spartanburg where the couple was blessed with their first two children. The family then moved north to White Plains, NY to join other family members who had previously relocated to the area. After moving to White Plains seven additional children were born to the couple. Edward was very skillful and worked as a rocket launcher assembler during the war, but he knew that he needed additional employment with his fast growing family. He was able to draw on the skills that he acquired while working with his siblings in each of the family businesses to become self-employed as a gardener, landscaper, butler, waiter, bartender, limousine driver, window washer, as well as any other skill he needed to provide for his family.

The family joined Bethel Baptist Church soon after arriving in White Plains and Edward remained a faithful and active member until the day he was called home . He served many years as a Trustee and Usher Board.


"… I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of the wicked." Ps 84:10


The Lord called and Edward answered on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. He joins his wife, Elizabeth, two sons, Leroy and Daniel Jerome, Sr., brother Robert and five sisters, Ethel, Clara, Sally, Carrie and Charlotte.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his son Edward Johnson, Jr., daughters Grace Johnson and Linda Nichols of White Plains, NY, Denise Johnson of Buffalo, NY, Patricia Simpson, Judy Johnson Lewis and Carrie (Bonnie) Johnson of Atlanta, GA., brother Lawrence Johnson, Jr., of Spartanburg, SC., 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, daughter-in-laws, and a host of other relatives and friends.