Samuel Johnson was born on January 2, 1929 to the late Reverend Isaiah and Belzora (nee Cawthon) Johnson in Henderson, Tennessee. Sam was the third child as well as the third son born to this union. What a glorious blessing it was when the family grew to the size of a “baker’s dozen”—13 children in total. Sam transitioned from this worldly life to his heavenly reward on Saturday, September 12, 2020.

Sam’s path in life was chosen early as he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a very young age. Although he worked at Goodyear for many years, Sam’s true love, passion and commitment was in preaching the Word of God and saving souls. Sam was the only child in the family who followed in the footsteps of his father and chose the ministry as his life’s work. Rev. Samuel Johnson became the esteemed pastor and shepherd of New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in 1975, and continued to serve there for 41 years. Rev. Johnson was a strong and steadfast leader. “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

Rev. Johnson was also a loving husband and companion to Mary E. Johnson. They met and fell in love in their retirement years and faithfully loved and cared for each other—“in sickness and in health, ’til death us do part”.

Rev. Johnson was a very positive and affirmative pastor. He was known to say as his mantra: “Isn’t it always nice to be nice! Isn’t it just sweet to be sweet! Doesn’t it feel good just to be good! Always lovely just to be lovely!” What a blessing to hear those words so often and so sincerely! May those be our sentiments to each other as we remember our beloved pastor!

Rev. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Isaiah and Belzora Johnson; son, Michael Johnson, Ruth Johnson, brothers, Paul, I-Little, Barnabas, Silas, A.V. Johnson, sisters, Levabell Johnson, Zettie Lee, and Cleavey Bradley.

Rev. Johnson leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife, Mary E. Johnson, Copley, Ohio; grandson, Michael (Edyth) Johnson, Akron, Ohio; grand-daughter, Tracy Johnson, Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters, Martha Wardlow, Humboldt, Tennessee, Mary Carter, Humboldt, Tennessee; brothers, Naman (Mattie) Johnson, Dayton, Ohio, Aaron Johnson, Humboldt, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Roberta Branch, New York; nieces and nephews as well as a host of great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews, other family, friends and lost souls.

“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your loving kindness in the morning. For You have been my stronghold. And a refuge in the day of my distress.” Psalm 59:16