Jerry Lee Johnson

Jerry L. Johnson was born on August 7, 1950, at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Roosevelt Johnson Sr. and Bernet McDowell Johnson. Raised in a loving, faith-centered family, Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at an early age at Mercy Seat Baptist Church on Caffin Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana under the pastoral leadership of his grandfather, Rev. Eddie Johnson. He graduated from George Washington Carver Senior High School in the Class of 1968 and went on to attend Norfolk State University, in Norfolk, Virginia where he graduated in 1972. While at Norfolk State, Jerry was an active member of the ROTC program, preparing for a life of service to his country. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ethel Deloris Carrington. The two were united in marriage on November 12, 1971, and their union was blessed with three children: Jori Jeneen, Joni Janae, and Jared Jovier. Jerry’s dedication to service extended to a distinguished military career. He served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Major, with assignments in Europe and along the Mediterranean and was a proud veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Beyond his professional and military achievements, Jerry was deeply committed to his community. He served as a faithful member of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Paul S. Morton. Also, while in New Orleans, Jerry, served as Co-Leader of the Boy Scouts Troop 185, mentoring young men and instilling values of integrity, discipline, and service. In 2005, the disaster of Hurricane Katrina caused he and Ethel to uproot to Pensacola, Florida where they served in ministry at New Dimension Christian Center, under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Gregory Burns. In 2008, the military reassigned Jerry to Indianapolis, Indiana where he served faithfully at Eastern Star Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Jeffrey Johnson, Sr. and Pastor Jeffrey Johnson, II in the Senior Saints Ministry as vice president. His professional career continued with the Department of Defense, where he faithfully worked for over 45 years before retiring in 2017. Jerry was also a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Known for his steadfast loyalty, Jerry was a devoted son, brother, nephew, cousin, husband, father, uncle, and friend. His life was a testament to love, service, and faith—a legacy that continues to inspire all who knew him. Jerry was preceded in death by their daughter, Joni Janae; his parents, Roosevelt, and Bernet McDowell Johnson; and his siblings, John Johnson and Roosevelt Johnson, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife for 54 years, Ethel Deloris Carrington Johnson; two children, daughter, Jori Jeneen and son, Jared Jovier (Amber); five grandchildren, Olivia Charis, Marcus Joshua, Jalen Jovier, Chloe Marie, and Elijah Lee; two siblings, Linda Spiller (Wilbert) and Rodney Johnson, Sr. (Carmen); and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.