Calvin Ray Johnson Sr. | Beresford Funeral Home (2024)

Calvin Ray Johnson Sr. “CJ” was born on August 30, 1960 to the late Junior Johnson and Gloria Tittle Johnson in Helena, Arkansas. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age attending Galilee Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. P. L. Perkins.

He grew up playing basketball at Eliza Miller Junior High as well as Central High School where he graduated in the class of 1979. After graduation, he played college basketball at Phillips County Community College along with working at Helena Country Club. He enjoyed his job; being of service to others was a passion.

He was united in holy matrimony to his high school sweetheart Toni Brider, on April 15, 1988, eventually transitioning to Houston, Texas. While in Texas, he continued employment in the service industry including River Oaks Country Club where he loved to meet, greet, and network with others.

Calvin answered his call from life on Thursday, August 15, 2024. He was preceded in death by: his parents: father Junior Johnson, mother Gloria V. Johnson, son Calvin Johnson Jr., two brothers Harvey Johnson and Sammie Johnson, sister Gladys Sanders, brother in-law James Sanders Sr., father in-law Elijah Brider, mother in-laws Tiny Mae Brider and Katherine Brider, and sister in-law, Elder Cora Brider Mitchell.

He leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 36 years Toni Johnson; son Elijah Corbin Johnson of Houston, Texas. uncle and aunt; Rev. Fred (Dorothy) Tittle of Fairfield, California, siblings: Ethel (Jerome) Brison of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Larry (Burnette) Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee, Joseph Johnson Sr. of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Thomas C. Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee, Danny K. Johnson Sr. of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Bobby Johnson of Waterbury, Connecticut, sister in-laws: Hannah Brider (Abdullah) of Ft. Worth, Texas, Marie (Michael) Woodfork of Chicago, Illinois, Katherine Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, Bobbie Brider of New Orleans, LA, and Lucy Brown of West-Helena, Arkansas, special sister, Patty Hall of West-Helena, Arkansas, and special brother, Fredrico Carmona of Houston, Texas, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.