Charles Johnson

Charles Edward “Eddie” Johnson was welcomed to his heavenly home on April 8, 2021. He was born on April 11, 1940, in Bee Branch, AR to Tommy and Freddie Johnson. He was preceded in death by his brother Bernest Johnson who passed as a young child,  Father Tommy Johnson, Mother Freddie Elizabeth Johnson- Hickman, Step Father Roy Hickman, Sisters Margaret Larkan, and Thelma “Billie” Craig, and Brother Paul “ Bud” Johnson.  He is survived by one loving brother Joe Johnson (Maria) of Madrid, Spain. Daughters Leslie (Ronald) Miley, Kristy (Craig) Thornton, and Leah (Jason) Johnson, Grandchildren Lauren(Michael) Lofton, Jacob Miley, Zakary Johnson, Noah Johnson, Micah, and Alaina Thornton. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins along with his beloved care staff at Lonoke Health & Rehab.

Eddie was a 1958 graduate of Lonoke High School and entered the United States Navy shortly after. He served on the US Atomic Submarine Seadragon which went to the North Pole and traveled under the Polar Ice Cap. He later served on the USS Dixie in the Western Pacific. He completed undersea weapons training in both San Diego, CA, and Hawaii. After he finished his service in the navy he spent his career building homes with his specialty being a sheetrock finisher. He took pride in the craftsmanship that went into building “beautiful homes”.  He married Shirley Fletcher and they had three beautiful daughters who were the light of his life. He also dearly loved his son in-laws and grandchildren and was so proud of them all. His heart was so full of love for the people in his life. He courageously endured Pandemic mostly in solitude. He was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his family again. He was able to spend his last Christmas surrounded by his family and was looking forward to celebrating his birthday soon.

Eddie had a passion for country music and writing songs and poems. His poem “Casket Flag” has been used in several veteran funerals over the years. He was also a longtime member of the American Legion and the Country Music Association. He had a love and passion for baseball with his favorite team being the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played fantasy baseball with his beloved Nephew Eddie Dale Larkan and won the league that year. His life will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 13th at 2:00 at Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke, AR and burial will be immediately after at Brownsville Cemetery in Lonoke.

The family will receive visitors from 5-7on Monday evening April 12, 2021.

Memorial contributions may be made to Building Bridges (formerly known as Lonoke Exceptional School).