S.J. Johnson, Jr. was born on April 6th, 1947 in Augusta, Georgia and fell asleep in death on August 29, 2025 at home at the age of 78. He is the son of Robbie Mae Cobbs and S.J. Johnson, Sr. and grew up surrounded by a host of siblings. He attended Carver High and in 1968 he enlisted in the United States Army. In 1970, while on tour, he sustained an injury and was honorably discharged. Following that time, S.J. lived in Oakland, California but eventually returned to his home town of Augusta, GA. Shortly thereafter, S.J. became a father for the first time when his daughter, Zandra, was born.
S.J. believed there had to be more to life than the violence and war-time atrocities he’d experienced. That’s when he started his search for answers from a higher source. In 1974, he found answers to all his questions when he began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose beliefs are rooted in love for God, love for neighbor and closely following the example of God’s son, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 22:36-40) On July 4th, 1975, he made the most pivotal and meaningful decision of his life when he expressed his dedication to Jehovah God through baptism.
In July 1977, he met Helen McMillan, a beautiful woman who shared his spiritual values, at a Bible convention in Montgomery, Alabama. And on February 25th,1978 they were married. For more than 47 years, Helen proved to be a loyal and devoted life partner.
After marriage, S.J. and Helen settled in Anniston, AL where they became a part of the Anniston West Congregation. There, they both faithfully served their God together and worked hard in the ministry, building strong bonds of friendship that have continued until this day. Eventually, three more children came along-Stephanie, Steven and Benjamin- and S.J. and Helen strived to raise them with those same strong spiritual values. In 1989, the family moved to Centre, Alabama. where their spiritual family grew as they were warmly welcomed into the Centre Congregation.
S.J. enjoyed serving in various theocratic roles over the decades and was well-known in both the congregation and the community as someone who was always willing to assist others in any way he could. S.J. especially enjoyed boldly but lovingly sharing his faith at every opportunity. S.J. was an active gym-goer and fitness advocate throughout his life, however, he never turned down a tasty home cooked meal–especially if it included “a bone of some sort”. He worked very hard as a small business owner to support his family financially, recreationally and spiritually.
S.J’s four children are forever grateful for his love and for the rich spiritual heritage he provided them.
He is survived by his devoted wife Helen; His beloved children-Zandra (Terry) Mitchell, Stephanie Johnson, Steven Johnson and Benjamin (Tatiana) Johnson; Two dear grandsons-Zaquan (Jakira) Wood and Ezra Johnson; One special great-granddaughter, Marzz Wood.
His surviving siblings are his sisters: Eva Davis, Christine Lyons, Vivian Jordan, Diane (Ricky) Leverett, Pamela Howard, Barbara Cobbs, Jessica Johnson, and Sawanna (Chris) Chavis; his brothers: Roosevelt (Kim) Johnson, Sr., James McKinney, Ronnie McKinney, Jerome McKinney, Jonathan (Sad’e) Johnson, and Devonte Johnson. Siblings preceding him in death are Eulie Lee, Jr., Charles “Moochie” Johnson, Debra Johnson, Mary Lee, John “David” Lee, Sr., Michael McKinney, Leroy Johnson, Betty Jo Johnson and Clarence “Smokey” Johnson. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 12, 2025 from 4:00pm CST to 6:00pm CST at Perry Funeral Home (1611 East Bypass, Centre, AL 35960). Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 3:00pm CST at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (3350 Cedar Bluff Rd, Centre, AL 35960). Burial will take place on Monday, September 15th, 2025 at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.
