Jessie Johnson, Jr.'s Obituary
Jessie Johnson Jr, a former Army sergeant who served in the Vietnam War and later became a successful project leader at Georgia Power electric company, died July 31 at Piedmont Eastside Medical Center in Snellville. He was 75. Jessie was one of eight children born to Beatrice and Jessie Johnson Sr., two beloved pillars of the Blakely, Ga. community. Both parents instilled in Jessie the importance of faith, hard work and service.
After graduating from Washington High School in 1968, Jessie enlisted in the Army. He trained at Fort Riley, Kansas as a member of the famed 1st Infantry Division, more commonly known as the "Big Red One." In 1970, he was airlifted into Vietnam, and fought courageously as a tank commander and gunner. In 1972, Jessie enrolled at Morris Brown College, graduating with a degree in business administration and economics. He deeply loved the campus atmosphere. During his time there, he ran track, participated in veterans' clubs and was inducted into the Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. fraternity.
Jessie also had a lifelong passion for cars and racing, starting at 7 when he was tasked by his father with the job of transporting food and supplies for the family farm. He often talked of becoming one of the first Black stars in Formula 1 competition. After receiving his college degree, he traveled to California and Canada to pursue his dream. After weeks of training in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Jessie graduated from the Jim Russell International Racing Drivers School in 1978. But finding sponsorship for his driving career was difficult. So, to make ends meet, Jessie took a job as a line-worker at Georgia Power Company, where he climbed poles in sweltering heat and freezing weather to activate electricity for residents. He became a trusted employee and mentor, once receiving a citation of praise from thenGov. Joe Frank Harris. Throughout the next three decades, Jessie trailblazed in a multitude of roles on his way to become one of Georgia Power's first Black project managers.
When he retired in 2013, he was responsible for overseeing construction of several high-pressure, expensive projects throughout Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Jessie also became a successful small business owner. He and wife, Barbara, herself a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. sorority, created the B & J Greek Stop at South Dekalb Mall, which they operated for nearly a decade. The store, which was popular with the young and old alike, sold clothes and paraphernalia to members of historic Black Greek fraternities and sororities.
Jessie had an undying thirst for history and the arts, and worked hard to promote an appreciation for both. He led annual trips to reenactments of Revolutionary War and Civil War battles, and he spearheaded family tours of monuments and forts throughout the U.S. He could spend hours watching documentaries and enjoyed learning about the richness and brilliance of the Black experience from civil rights museums and exhibits. On any given day, he could quote verbatim from, "Gone With the Wind," "School Daze," "Do the Right Thing" and other films he liked. He also had wide-ranging affection for jazz, rhythm & blues and classical music, regularly attending performances by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Jessie was a devoted member of Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta and served in the finance room, on usher and steward boards, and as a Sunday School instructor. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice and father, Jessie Sr. Jessie Sr., paved driveways and roads for the city government and before he died was given a street named in his honor. Beatrice worked for the local school system and gave selflessly to those in need. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Philip Johnson and Michael Johnson; and sister, Ozetta Mills.
Survivors include wife, Barbara Benton-Johnson; two sons, Marlon Tiller and Corey Johnson; sisters, Alma Augustine, Gwendolyn Reynolds and husband Charles, Juanita Roberson, and Clara Johnson; sister-in laws, Felecia Thomas and husband Sammy, Annie Passmore and husband Fred; brother-in-laws, Henry Mills, James Benton, Jerome Eppinger and Robert Benton; nephews, Phillip Johnson Jr., Rev. Torre' Mills and wife Lawana, and Charles Michael Reynolds; nieces, Junita Randolph and husband Robert, Angela Edmonds and husband Lawrence, and LaNita McAllister and husband Jonathan; one granddaughter, Niaje Johnson.
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