Joseph Johnson, Sr. was born February 16, 1948 to the late Deacon Willie R. Johnson and the late Sister Earnie Lee Johnson in Leesburg, GA. He is number nine (9) of 16 wonderful siblings. Joe departed this life at 5:17 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, GA.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Phylicia M. Johnson; a son Joseph Johnson, Jr., "JoJo"; seven (7) brothers: Joe Lewis Johnson, Elijah Johnson, Rev. Willie Carter Johnson, Rev. Dock Amos Johnson, Dec. Milton James Johnson, (un-named twin brothers); one (1) sister Mother Ethel Johnson Redmon, and a grandson Leuchann Ali, Johnson, Jr.

Joe attended Lee County Training School, Leesburg, GA where he was in the graduating class of 1966. He moved to New York with his brothers in the 60s; there he worked for and retired from Ford Motor Company. Joe also attended cosmetology school where he became a master hairstylist and barber. His skills favored him to have movie stars as clients. He would later move to Richmond, VA and continue his craft. In 1995 he moved back to Georgia.

At an early age, Joe joined the Old St. Stephen Baptist Church, Leesburg, GA under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Ben Drew Shine. At the time of his demise, he was a member of the Greater United Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Leesburg, GA, Dr. Andrew E. McDowell, Jr., Pastor.

On October 19, 2007, Joe married his love Flossie Hall.
Joe's life will be remembered and memories cherished by his wife Flossie H. Johnson, Albany, GA; daughter Lisa and Willie Byrd, Leesburg, GA; son Leuchann Ali Johnson, Sr., Williamsburg, VA; grandchildren: O'Neysha Wilson Scott, Philasia Johnson, Cheyenne Washington, Demarco Johnson, and Cali Johnson; bonus children: Ricky Hall, Vicky and DeeDee Hilson, Monica Davis, Mitchell and Rita Hilson, and Germaine Hilson; 9 bonus grandchildren and 8 bonus great-grandchildren; (4) brothers: Rev. A.L. and Barbara Johnson, Rev. Jack and Sandra Johnson, Raymond and Leila Johnson, Emanuel and Faye Johnson; (3) sisters: Jeanette Johnson, Annie Ruth Burks, and Minister Anne Johnson; hundreds of loving and caring nieces and nephews, a life-long friend Julius Thomas, other family and friends.