Clarence Harry Johnson

Clarence H. Johnson, Jr. was born June 22, 1942, in Brunswick, Georgia, to the union of Clarence H. Johnson, Sr., and Mattie L. Johnson. Clarence accepted Christ at an early age. He was united with and baptized as a member of the First African Baptist Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia. He served as a member of the Baptist Training Union, (BTU), and The Royal Ambassadors. Clarence graduated from Risley High School, Brunswick, Georgia, Class of 1960, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of the same year. His first military assignment after basic training was Shaw Air Force Base, in Sumter, South Carolina. There he met and married Thelma L. Maple, in October,1962. To this union, two children were born, his son Michael, and daughter, Clarise Lynette. Subsequent Air Force military assignments took Clarence to Okinawa, Japan, Phoenix, Arizona, South Viet-Nam, Tampa, Florida, three tours in the Republic of South Korea, Thailand, Tucson, Arizona, Ankara, Turkey, Washington, DC, and finally Belleville, Illinois. Clarence retired from the United States Air Force on January 1, 1991, after more than 30 years of active duty. During his tour of duty, he was awarded numerous medals, awards, citations, and decorations, and attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Military. After military retirement in January 1991, Clarence assumed employment with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was employed until his retirement in February, 2004. Clarence was an active member of the Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, in Lebanon, Illinois, where he served as an Usher, and a member of the Board of Trustees. After her retirement, Clarence and Thelma moved to Covington, Georgia in June 2007, where both united with Bethlehem Baptist Church, in Covington. Clarence is a Past Master of P.G. Porter Masonic Lodge #142, F&AM, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Past Eminent Commander, Crusaders Military Commandery, Ellis T. Moore, Council #3, Royal and Select Masters, AAMES Shrine Temple #132, and a Past Worthy Patron of Guiding Light Chapter #148, Order of Easter Star, all Prince Hall affiliation, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Mattie and Clarence Johnson Sr., and five of his seven Sisters, Louise Roberts, Gertrude McKeiver, Mable Ann Jones, Mamie L. Brown, and Goldie Johnson. Clarence leaves to cherish his precious memories: Thelma, his wife of ___ years, his Son, Michael, United States Army, Retired, of Covington, Georgia, his daughter, Clarise, who also resides in Covington, Georgia with his two Grandsons, Samuel and Benjamin, Bryan, also in the U.S. Air Force, a Great-Grand Daughter, Zariyah Johnson, his Sister, Ella Speakman, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, his Sister, Nancy Banks and her husband Caesar Banks, of Brunswick, Georgia, and a host of Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins, along with his extended church family.

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Clarence Harry Johnson

June 22, 1942 - March 23, 2024