John Eugene Johnson

Mr. John Eugene "Gene" Johnson, 83, retired from Union Carbide and resident of Lenape Path, died Sunday, December 14, 2008 at Alive Hospice at St. Thomas. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke United Methodist Church with Rev. Hubert Cunningham and Rev. Jim Gardner officiating. Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 2 - 8 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church Building Fund, 606 Santa Fe Pike, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. A native of Lauderdale County, Alabama he was the son of the late George Taylor Johnson and Sally Inez Thornton Johnson. He was a 1944 graduate of Lawrence County High School. On December 2, 1945 he married Edith Freeman Johnson who preceded him in death November 11, 1993. Mr. Johnson was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. He retired from Union Carbide as production foreman following 28 years of service. He was a Vigil member of Order of Arrow of Boy Scouts of America and an active troop leader for many years. He was a member of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19 and was formerly active with Gideons International. Mr. Johnson was a very active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church where he had taught Sunday School for many years. Survivors include two daughters, Donna (Bobby) Davis of Mt. Pleasant, Christie (Joey) King of Columbia; one son, Carter (Patsy) Johnson of Cane Ridge; two brothers, Marvin Johnson of Lawrenceburg, James (Ann) Johnson of Florence, AL; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Joe) Haley of Mt. Juliet; Tracy (Robby) Marshall and Brandon (Karry) Cantrell both of Mt. Pleasant, Amy (Chad) Edwards of Murfreesboro, Tyler Duke of Columbia; Amber Davis of Mt. Pleasant, Brittany King of Columbia; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Johnson Lantz and two brothers, Herbert Johnson and William Johnson. Pallbearers include Eagle Scouts, Tommy Haskins, Andy Neal, Dwight Jewell, Mark Young, Roddie Greenfield and Tyler Duke. Honorary pallbearers will be members of St. Luke Men's Club and McDonald's Coffee Club.