JL Johnson was born on December 10, 1939, to the late Eddie Johnson and Mrs. Maggie Moore Johnson in Tyler, Texas.
Growing up in the country, he had very fond memories listening and learning from his parents and elders, such as mentor ‘old man Duncanfield’, soaking up every ounce of wisdom to create a fruitful life for his family. He took those small nuggets as inspiration and creativity to live a life centered on hard work, strength, determination, resilience, and kindness.
At a young age, with only a few dollars in his pocket, JL became a small business owner, starting a Janitorial Service Company. He went on to open the first black-owned grocery store in a small community in Ft. Worth, Texas, and later opened a Barbeque Restaurant serving lunch and dinner for employees of a large manufacturing company. He was a self-made entrepreneur, who loved his family, enjoyed sharing his wisdom and making others laugh.
JL went home to be with the Lord on June 2, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father Eddie Johnson, mother, Maggie Johnson, children Marcus Johnson, Shelia Johnson, and Tony Johnson, son in-law Victor Von Walker, Jr., and brother RL Johnson. At the time of his death, JL’s beloved grandson, Eddie Charles Johnson, also went home to be with the Lord.
JL is survived by a loving family, his daughter Jana Walker (late Victor Jr.) and their daughter Victoria; daughter Camisha (Norman) Green, and children Jasmine, Jalen, and Jamerson; son Eric (Shaneika) Johnson and children Jordin, Jadah, Joyah, and Jaxon, and grandson Jah; daughter Vonnette (Marcus) Joyner and children Alexis Yeargin, Cora Yeargin, Jarvon Williams, KeAsia Chatman, and grandchildren Titan Ford, Brandon Hardway, Aundriea Leake, Kingston Anderson, and Kyson Porcher; grandson Chris Johnson Jackson; stepsons Manuel McGee, Rev. Kenny (Kendra) McGee, and Anthony Glen (DeDe) McGee. He leaves precious memories with sisters Edna Lois Gilbert and Beverly (Dwight) Holmes; cousin Marvalene Marshall; and a long-time dear friend Nora Johnson Burris; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, Hopewell Baptist Church family (late Rev. C.E. Evans); and many other loved ones.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/j-l-johnson. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location. Following the funeral, a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park for a committal service.
The family will receive guests during a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the funeral home.