Bro. John Paul (J.P.) Johnson, age 94 of Prattsville, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 26, 2009. He was born December 9, 1914 to the late Alexander and Minnie McCullough Johnson in Doniphan, Arkansas.

Bro. Johnson was a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church and a retired Baptist Minister. Bro. Johnson's public education was limited, but he graduated from The Missionary Baptist Seminary, receiving his Graduate in English Bible in 1943, Master in Bible Languages in 1944 and Doctor in Bible Language in 1947. He taught English for 25 years in the Seminary. Bro. Johnson loved helping other people, hunting and fishing. He retired from pastoral service the last Sunday in 2000 at the age of 86. During his 61 years of service he pastored the following churches: Hamilton - Plainview - Butlerville - Poughkeepsie - Union - Mt. Pleasant - Pangburn - Redfield - harmony - Philadelphia - Liberty - Harmony - Oak Grove - Taylor's Chapel and Carthage. Bro. Johnson was one that knew where he came from, where he had been, and where he was going. He lived a good life doing the things he believed God wanted him to do.

Bro. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Verl Johnson, Joe Johnson and Richard Johnson; three sisters, Eunice Johnston, Mildred Davenport, Justina Berry and one grand-daughter, Tammy Johnson.

Survivors include wife of 73 years, Maebell Ballard Johnson, of the home;
One son and daughter-in-law, James Leslie and Marilyn Johnson of Western Grove, Arkansas;
One daughter Pauline Harrington of Prattsville, Arkansas;
Two Grandsons: Paul and wife Angie Harrington of Summerville, South Carolina;
James Leslie Johnson, Jr. of Murfreesboro, Tennessee;
One great grand-son, Tyler Johnson of Odessa, Texas;
Two great-grand-daughters, Kristen Johnson of Odessa, Texas; and Victoria Harrington of Summerville, South Carolina
One sister and brother-in-law, Opal and Frank Bryant of Coos Bay, Oregon;
One sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnson of El Dorado, Arkansas
and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville, with Rev. John Penn and Rev. Don Goodman officiating. Rev. James Calhoun will conclude at the graveside. Burial will be in Philadelphia Cemetery at Prattsville. Visitation will be Monday evening from 5 until 8 PM at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan.
Memorials may be made to Philadelphia Cemetery Association, c/o Joyce Bird - 4820 Hwy 291-South - Sheridan, AR 72150.