Clifford James
After high school Clifford went into the US Navy serving on an aircraft carrier. While he was in the Navy he and his wife married. They were married for 42 years. After being discharged from the Navy he sold insurance, worked in loan businesses, and later went into the furniture business working himself up to Plant Manager.
He liked to play fast-pitch softball. He traveled over the eastern US playing ball. He also loved to play golf. He and his wife traveled a lot.
He was the father of 2 sons and 1 daughter, grandfather of 5 grandchildren and 2 adopted grandchildren. He had 1 brother and 3 sisters. He was of the Baptist faith.
James (Jimmy) Johnson
Jimmy was a Vietnam War veteran. He was very proud of his service during the war. Jimmy was a quiet man, slightly humorous and well liked by most people who met him. He always wore hats (to keep his head warm). In the past few years Jimmy’s favorite expression was, “It could be worser”. That sounded very positive and uplifting for someone who was in a lot of pain. Jimmy would have been very happy knowing his eyes were donated to someone who needed them.
Phillip Earl Johnson
Phillip Earl Johnson, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Popsie, brother, cousin, neighbor, friend, pal, he was known by all of these…He was also called a CARE GIVER…
He became a master at everything he did. He was a successful food retailer when he formed his own Mr. Pizza franchise in the 60’s…
I think the most meaningful thing I can do today, is talk about what he gave to each of us. Yes, gave, to everyone or anyone who really knew him. He gave something very special. On days he felt really good physically, and even on those days he hardly could get out of bed, he found the ability, the time, the desire, the will power, to continue making this wonderful gift he wanted to leave for us all.
That Special Gift he gave, I love to call THE CARE GIVERS’ CHAIN OF LIFE…
These past few weeks have been very emotional for so many of us. Yet, each day has served to bring our family much closer. We have shared our prayers with each other, we have prayed together…
In his daughters, he gave not only his love and support, he gave each of them his sense of humor and the ability for each of them to love their family and to care for their family. He gave his grandbabies love, advice, a crying shoulder to lean on, or a lap to sit on and have wonderful naps or wonderful dreams. All these wonderful gifts are represented by individual little links in Phil’s CARE GIVERS’ CHAIN OF LIFE…
The CARE GIVERS’ CHAIN that Phil Johnson gave to each of us is made of the same wonderful links of life used by many special people who came before any of us were ever born. It is now our time for us to add new links to Phil’s CARE GIVERS’ CHAIN OF LIFE.
We can do this by becoming CARE GIVERS. We can do this remembering the happy times and the good times of Phil Johnson’s life and by living every day, to just make a small difference in the life of another human being…Phil Johnson in his own special way knew this, and he knew he had to pass this gift to each of us as well. For it will make you feel special inside, and it will bring joy to your life, and you will always know the CARE GIVERS’ CHAIN OF LIFE cannot be broken. Above all, this will be the legacy of Phillip Earl Johnson.
- Excerpted from Phillip Earl Johnson’s eulogy, as rendered by Charles Kenneth Johnson, a loving brother.
Winshaia D’wan Johnson
Winshaia D’wan Johnson was better known as “Shay”. She was ten days from becoming 11 years old. She was an upcoming 6th grader. She loved school just as she loved all of her family and friends. Shay played the clarinet in the school band and took private piano lessons that she loved so much. She had to have her own piano. She was born to play; her piano teacher was the best; and her dog, too. She enjoyed singing in the junior choir at church, collecting old coins, golden stamps, dolls, and shark teeth.
Shay was quiet and shy, but an out-going sweet girl that loved everything that God’s earth had to offer. She was all about love. She looked past the outer cover and went straight to the person’s heart. That’s one reason she loved going to camp – to express her inner self. At the age of 3 she knew she wanted to be a doctor and help others. She wanted to make a difference here on earth. She prayed for everyone to love each other and make a change in the world. She loved playing with her dog, Prince, her dolls, her sister, her cousin, her friends and using her imagination that would make you see and realize things that you never noticed before. Best of all she loved being a child with ideals and dreams. I know we will be a family again in heaven; we have Jesus guiding us and the love and memories of Winshaia to make us want to go in the right direction. May God Bless All.
Ray Ellis JonesRay Ellis Jones was a fun loving and easy going person. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Ray enjoyed children, maybe because he was still a child at heart. He just laughed and smiled when he was around children. His son was the apple of his eye, his brother was his role model, his sister was someone he could call on, and he was a mama’s boy. His little sister was someone to play with and laugh at. He enjoyed spending time with his friends laughing and kidding around.
Ray enjoyed playing video games. He would play a game all night until he would conquer it. Ray enjoyed listening to music and dancing. He was a very sharp dancer. Ray enjoyed singing and making his own raps. He enjoyed entertaining people just watching them laugh and smile at him. Ray wanted to be in the entertainment business one day. He also enjoyed spending time on the computer. Ray liked being different from everyone else. He liked to put his own clothing styles together and having different hairstyles. If Ray could make you smile he was happy. He was very handy at putting things together. Ray wouldn’t stop until he got the job done. Ray Ellis Jones was one of a kind and there will never be another person like him.
Quentin JoynerI believe this picture describes Quentin in full detail. He was just a great big loving teddy bear.
He graduated from high school in 1993. He was in the educable mental handicapped program. Even though he could never read well, he knew and loved history. When the movie “Gettysburg” first came to the movie theater, his father took him to see it. Quentin told him exactly what was going to happen before it happened. He knew the names of each character.
He attended the State Special Olympic Games held in Raleigh in 1990. Quentin loved going to the beach and one of his favorite place was Fort Fisher at Kure Beach.
We will always remember just what a special loving teddy bear he was.
Wayne, Joy & Jarratt Joyner
Parents and Brother of Quentin Joyner
