Johnnie Lee Acoff was born on March 25, 1945, to the late John and Lucy Acoff in Beloit, Alabama. He was the seventh child of 18. Ten of his siblings preceded him in death. Mary, Abraham, George, Joseph, Willie, Freddie, Emma, Baby boy Acoff, Valerie, and Rosalind.

As a boy in the south, Johnnie was up early in the morning, working and doing his chores on the farm before heading off to school. He did all his work well and took great pride in doing it. He carried that quality and the lessons he learned as a child throughout his life.

As a young child, Johnnie and his family moved to Cleveland. He attended Cleveland Public Schools and was a proud Glenville High Tar Blooder. He excelled in wood shop, which led to him having exceptional handyman skills that he used for many years. He was not afraid to try new things.

Johnnie confessed Christ at an early age, and attended St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastoral leadership of his brother the late Rev. Abraham Acoff Sr. Later in life, after St. Peters had relocated, Johnnie rejoined his brothers church and took on the role of Deacon along with his late brother, Joseph Acoff. After St. Peters, he visited several churches. He eventually and happily joined Apostolic Church of the Living God under the Pastoral leadership of Pastor Jerry Davis, where he remained a faithful member. He truly loved his church family and was determined to be there every Sunday until his health did not allow him to.

As a teenager, Johnnie held many jobs, including two paper routes to make his own way and help his family. He always maintained a good work ethic and did not like missing work. In 1965, he was drafted into the Army, where he served for two years. Having high test scores to determine placement, landed him in Germany as a pole lineman. After the service, he held jobs that included meat cutter, plastics cutter, and many more. He eventually retired from Stouffers in 2011 after 13 years.

He was the proud father of three sons. Johnny, Lavelle, and Quintin.

He later met the love of his life, Delcenia (Dee), and they were married in June 1991. Together, they raised his youngest son, Quintin, from the age of 9.

Johnnie liked spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed cooking on the grill and using his handyman skills rehabbing and remodeling houses. H eventually mastered the remote control. He was the proudest of when he became a grandfather. He still maintained friendships that were like family that went back 50 to 60 years. He liked to party and travel in his earlier years. In his later years, he enjoyed attending church and found a lot of joy in spending time with his great-great nieces.

When Johnnie’s health began to fail, he always said, the best is yet to come, and God was not done with him yet. This is what kept him fighting for as long as he did. On Monday, August 11^th, the Lord called him home.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Delcenia (dee), his sons, Johnny (Sharelle), Lavelle and Quintin. His brother, Sam (Lisa), his sisters, Ola, Ida, Fannie, June, Martha, and Lynnette. 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.