George "Walter" Johnson, Jr.

George “Walter” Johnson Jr (Papa J), 77 of the Ruffin community, went home to be with the LORD on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Freedom Baptist Church with Rev. Ronnie Warner and Rev. Eric Lineberry officiating. The burial will follow at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors at the grave.

Papa J was born in Rockingham County to the late “George” Walter Johnson, SR, and Vivian French Johnson. He was a longtime and faithful member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church and until he could not go any longer, he faithfully attended Freedom Baptist Church. Papa J was a veteran of the US Army with 4 years of active duty and 12 years in the army reserves. He was a farmer and retired from Duke Energy. After retiring, he ran the family business Johnson’s Sporting Goods LLC in Ruffin, NC. He was a wonderful loving husband, daddy, papa, brother, and friend. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his wife Rebecca “Becky” Lee Wright Johnson (Mama J) of 52 years of marriage and son-in-law, Doug Smith.

He is survived by his daughter, Pam Johnson Smith Tate and husband Jeff, son, Wally Johnson, and wife Denise Johnson all of Ruffin, NC, granddaughters, Lindsey Johnson Talbert and husband Colton of Liberty, NC, Laura Leigh Johnson and Michael Wade and Tiffany Smith Easter and husband Brian all of Ruffin, NC. Great grandchildren, Georgia (Sweet Pea) Leigh Wade, Kaitlin Jones, Eli and Dalton Easter, Vivian James Talbert (due June), Walter Burton Wade (due August), sister, Sandra “Sandi” Johnson Emery of Summerville, SC, and numerous nieces, nephews, and a large extended family.

The family will receive friends at his home, and he will lay in state at Wilkerson Funeral Home for viewing.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Mount Carmel United Methodist Church at 361 Mt. Carmel Church Road, Reidsville, NC 27320, or Freedom Baptist Church, 471 Stone Road, Reidsville, NC 27320 or Hospice of Rockingham County, PO BOX 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.

Special Thanks to Dr. Scott Luking and the amazing team at Hospice of Rockingham County.