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Obituary For Nelson Napoleon Johnson
Rev. Dr. Nelson Napoleon Johnson was born on a beautiful Sunday, April 25, 1943, to the late Zelma
Blanche Thorne Johnson and James Ransom Johnson. His Savior saw fit to call him to glory on
another beautiful Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Born in Littleton, North Carolina, Rev. Johnson was the 6 th child of a loving family of nine children. He
accepted Christ at an early age at Lees Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, a church founded by his
grandfather, Nelson Thorne. Educated in the segregated Halifax County Schools, Rev. Johnson
graduated from the Mighty McIver High School in 1961 and went on to serve honorably in the US Air
Force from 1961 until 1965. He entered North Carolina A&T State University in the fall of 1965,
where his initial path for social justice and civil rights began to take shape.
He met his wife, Joyce Hobson Johnson of Richmond, Virginia, in February 1969, and they were married on May 24, 1969. To this loving union were born two daughters, Akua Johnson Matherson and Ayodele Samori Johnson.
Rev. Johnson received his call to the ministry in 1986 and received his master’s in theology from Virginia Union Theological Seminary in 1989. He served as assistant pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina from 1989 to 1991. He founded Faith Community Church in 1993, serving as senior pastor until his retirement in 2018. With his loving wife, they co-founded the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro in 1991, along with others. Here he found his life’s work.
Rev. Johnson was preceded in death by both parents and his beloved stepmother, Elizabeth Brown
Johnson; siblings, Genotre (Jean), Edward (Sonny), James (Mac), Alice, Valerie (Birdie) and Alma
(Mickey).
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 55 years, Joyce Johnson; daughters Akua Matherson
and Ayodele Johnson; granddaughter Alise Jamill Matherson and grandson Nelson Josiah Samori
Johnson, all of Greensboro, NC; brothers Ivan P. Johnson (Mary) of Littleton, NC, Simon S. Johnson
(Dollean) of Winston-Salem, NC; sister-in-law Elizabeth M. Johnson of Littleton, NC; brother-in-law
Herbert Hobson, Greensboro, NC and stepsister Linda Brown of Roanoke Rapids, NC; a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended relatives.
A public viewing will be held on Thursday, February 20 th from 1pm to 6pm in the Cassie Coote Chapel
at Perry J. Brown Funeral Home, 909 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC.
The Homegoing service will be held on Friday, February 21 st at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 408 Martin Luther King Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27406; visitation begins with the family at 12 noon followed by the service at 1pm.
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Baldemar Velasquez sent Pink Tribute Spray for Nelson Napoleon Johnson - February 20, 2025
Kathryn Morris sent Serene Lily Basket for Nelson Napoleon Johnson - February 20, 2025
DERRELL STURDIVANT sent Rainbow Reflections Basket for Nelson Napoleon Johnson - February 15, 2025
Joyce and family our sincere condolences to you and your family. Nelson was a fighter and warrior for the people. He did a great job and will be missed.
Ken & Delores
HE DID A LOT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS. HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND. HE HELPED US AT INDUSTRIES OF THE BLING GET MANY BENEFITS THAT WE DID NOT HAVE. LOVE ALWAYS.
Condolences to the Family-God Bless You Johnson Family-May God be with you and provide you with His love, strength, and support. May God comfort you in His loving arms knowing that you will see our loved one again at the gathering together where you will be with him forever more. You all are in my prayers-Love Linda Brown
Sending my condolences to the family he was a great man he worked for the people he will be truly missed God Bless the Family Virginia Sturdivant and Family
Our condolences and prayers to The Johnson family. Rest in Heavenly Peace Nelson N. Johnson 🕊 Ann Donnell and Family 🙏
To the family of Rev. Johnson thank you for sharing this great leader and for the life service work in this community. My Prayers are with Mrs. Johnson, family, friends church family and community community . May God hold you all close. Thank you Rev. Nelson for all the great advice you gave me . Blessings Paula Ritter-Lipscomb
Joyce,your daughters and family members. You are in my prayers. Keep your memories close to heart. Linda Sims
To a True Man Of God. To My beloved friend and classmate, I will miss you. I will never forget you.You were a Blessing to All of us.
As an old family friend of Rev.Nelson Johnson and his Littleton, NC, family, my brothers, sister and family was sadden to learn of his death. Rev. Johnson, as a youth growing up with my brothers in the Lee's Chapel Community was always an outstanding young man, standing up for his beliefs, working to improve his community, which grew in aldult life. His influence will be missed.
Nelson was a man of God who through love of community helped countless of individuals achieve social & economic justice, yet his greater accomplishment was the countless of individuals he inspired to do the same.
God bless you, Sister Joyce, and your family!
In this time of sadness, may you see God in the faces of friends, hear Him in their voices, feel Him in the touch of their hands. May their help, caring and sympathy reflect His love and kindness at this time when you need Him most. With Caring Thoughts. Sorrowfully yours, B. J. Gerald-Covington and Family
Sending condolences to my cousins for the loss of cousin Nelson. I'm so grateful to have known him all my life, He was a wonderful man who helped so many people in life. Joyceann, Akua and Ayo i pray God will continue to comfort all of you in your time of need. Remember to always think of the good times you shared with Nelson. I love you all 🙏🏽♥️ From your New York family!
Joyce, Akua and entire family and friends of Nelson my sincere sympathy to you. May the great memories of Nelson be a comfort to you during these difficult days and may they comfort you as time goes on. Nelson and Joyce were a beautiful couple. Rest in Heaven Nelson.
Condolences are extended, and many prayers are sent to the Lord on behalf of the Johnson family. It was a joy to be in the presence of such an humble man who served God and people. May you be continually comforted and strengthened. Betty A. Burnett Lindenwold, New Jersey
Akua, I would like to extend my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. May God surround you and your family with comfort, peace and love during this time of bereavement.
Condolences to the Family. A real soldier for us.
I am reminded of attending Faith Community Church with my mother from 1999 to 2002. I remember hearing the choir sing every Sunday "we've come this far by faith leaning on the Lord ..." and that's where my FAITH in God began at the age of 9.
Thank you for being another walking example of Christ's Teachings Rev. Johnson. God bless the Johnson and the Faith Community Family. ~Brother Roy
Heart felt condolences to the Johnson Family. I applaud the social and civil rights activism of both Rev. Johnson and Joyce. As a life long Greensboro native, I have benefited from their activism and was one of Ms. Johnson's student workers and later co-worker, at NC A&T's School of Business and Economics in the Transportation Institute. Well done thy good and faithful servant. In a time such as this, we need more Nelson Johnsons to rise and pick up the mantel to continue the fight for our basic civil rights and social justice.
Offering our heartfelt and most sincere condolences to the Johnson family. To God be the glory for a life well lived complete with everlasting memories to his family and community. Sending our love and warm hugs, Walter and Cathy.
My condolences to the family of our beloved classmate, Rev. Johnson, who provided great leadership while serving as our class president. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. C. Edmonds
Mama Joyce, Ku, and Ayo....thank you all for sharing Daddy Nelson with us. I'm deeply saddened and will truly miss him. Sending you and the entire family my sincere condolences. Thank you for the memories. I love you all. - Wanda
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
