JW Johnson was born on December 18, 1952 to the late Reubin Johnson and Eunice Chapman.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Dorisene Johnson; three children: Vontarra Johnson (Tasha), Cassandra Johnson, and Unicka Johnson Walker (Jonathan), all of Pinola, Mississippi; four brothers: EN Johnson (Anne), Magee, Mississippi, Eddie Johnson (Verma), Magee, Mississippi, Johnny Johnson (Clarisse), Iowa, and Charles Johnson, Magee, Mississippi; four sisters: Mary Bett, Chicago, Illinois, Margie Gardner, Chicago, Illinois, Helen Hayes, Mendenhall, Mississippi, and Emma Lofton (Billy), Mendenhall, Mississippi; eight grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and a special sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Ray Ards. A special niece and nephew, LaKesha Johnson and Paul Johnson, preceded him in death.