Funeral services for Mr. Eugene Johnson, age 88 of Carthage, Texas will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at First Assembly of God and Christ Church with Bishop Hubert Owens officiating. Interment will follow at Rocquemore Cemetery under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Mr. Johnson will lie in state on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Johnson passed away Monday night, April 9, 2007 at his residence near Carthage.

Eugene Johnson was born on October 27, 1918 in Panola County, Texas to Jacob and Kizzie Brown Johnson. He married Girtha Lee Rayson on January 27, 1940 in Carthage and together they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Mr. Johnson was a member of the Masonic Lodge and also served on the Holland Quarter's Water Board for many years. In his early years, Mr. Johnson worked for T. L. James Construction Company on highway projects. He later worked for Butler Chevrolet in the Maintenance Department for many years until his retirement. Mr. Johnson loved fishing, hunting, farming, and gardening. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather. Mr. Johnson had lived his lifetime in Panola County, was of the Baptist faith, and was a member of the Johnson Chapel C.M.E. Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Kizzie Johnson; four sisters, Alberta Hardy, Myra Bell Jones, Gorgette Walls, and Mattie B. Collins; and one grandson, James Johnson, Jr.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 67 years, Girtha Johnson of Carthage; five sons, R.C. Johnson and wife Jerlie of Lake of the Pines, Gene E. Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, James Johnson, Sr. and wife Chanta of Carthage, Larry Johnson and wife Amy of Carthage, and Kenneth Johnson and wife Sherry of Carthage; six daughters, Gertie M. Johnson of Tyler, Mary A. Anderson and husband Donny of Carthage, Annie F. Tyree and husband Dwight of Dayton, Ohio, Mary R. Glasper and husband Johnny of Carthage, Ruby Phelps and husband James of Atlanta, Georgia, and Shirley Williams and husband Gilbert of Carthage; five brothers, James Johnson of Banning, California, Billy Johnson of Beckville, Jacob Johnson, Jr. of Mineola, Calvin Johnson of Snyder, and U. C. Johnson of Carthage; five sisters, Cozzette Wallace of Rowlett, Jeanette Malone of Snyder, Mildred Wallace of Lindale, Lizzie M. Wilcots and husband Loberis of Carthage, and Janice Pope of Carthage; thirty-three grandchildren; forty-four great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mr. Johnson.

Serving as pallbearers are Mr. Johnson's grandsons, Jerry Johnson, Dewayne Johnson, Kevin Glasper, Marvin Morrow, Jermaine Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Gary Williams. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Mr. Johnson's sons, R.C. Johnson, Gene E. Johnson, James Johnson, Sr., Larry Johnson, and Kenneth Johnson.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.