Joe John Johnson Jr. was born in Martin County on Feb. 6, 1923, to the late Joe John Johnson and Katie Mae Forbes Johnson. He was the oldest of the seven children born to them. He graduated from Robersonville High School in 1939. Joe married Haze Ruth Corey on Jan. 5, 1943. He was drafted for military service shortly afterward. He served over three years in the Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic, aerial gunner instructor and telephone lineman. Joe worked at Roanoke Chevrolet for 48 years as an auto mechanic, salesman. He retired as manager of the Parts Dept. He then worked with Martin County Animal Control for seven years.

Joe served three years on the Advisory Committee Board for Trades at Martin Community College. He helped organize Martin County Community Action and served as a board member for 17 years. Joe organized the Farm Life Swimming Club in 1965 and taught many children to swim. He was a member of the Farm Life Ruritan Club for 50 years. He served as Commander of the American Legion John W. Hassell Post 163 for 29 years.

Joe was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church for 61 years. He taught Sunday School, served as a deacon, and sang in the choir. He enjoyed playing the High Priest in “The Message of Easter” for 28 years, till his health declined.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 19, 2017, at 3 p.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Crabtree officiating. Burial will follow in Tice Family Cemetery.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Cindy Johnson Hill of Williamston and Hazel Jo Johnson Walker and husband, Michael of Winterville. He had one grandchild, Kaitlyn Walker of Winterville. He is survived by his sister, Lona Warren, of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and his brother, Charles Johnson, of Greenville. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, his sister Marceline Wynne, and brothers, Preston Johnson, Durward Johnson, and Thomas Johnson.

The family will receive friends Monday from 1:30 p.m. until service time at Piney Grove Baptist Church. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to “The Message of Easter” as Piney Grove Baptist Church, 2955 Piney Grove Church Road, Williamston, NC 27892. Memorials may also be made to Griffins Township Fire Dept. or the Jamesville Rescue Squad.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.walkerfh.net

Walker Funeral Home of Williamston is serving the Johnson family.