James Monroe Johnson

Mr. James Monroe Johnson, 87, of the Pine Ridge community, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Mr. Johnson was born May 3, 1923, in Surry County, to the late Walter and Mary Seal Johnson. He proudly served our country in the Philippines during World War II in the United States Army. He was a retired dairy farmer and a member of the Baptist faith. He was a member of Round Peak Masonic Lodge #616 AF and AM for 52 years, serving as treasurer for 17 years. He was instrumental in starting the Pine Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen Watson Johnson of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Mark and Paula Johnson and Walter Johnson, all of Mount Airy; four grandchildren and their spouses, James and Lisa Johnson of Mount Airy, Joannah and Gil Branch of Dobson, Jeremy Johnson of Mount Airy, and Jessica Johnson of Durham; four very special great-grandchildren, Jasmine Johnson, Leia Johnson, Steven Branch, and Lauren Branch; a sister and two brothers-in-law, Arlene and Bill Shields of Texas and Harry Joyce of Winston-Salem; and two special aunts, Josie Seal and Elizabeth Seal Hawks. In addition to his parents, Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by a son, William E. Johnson; a granddaughter, Monica Johnson; and a sister, Ruby Johnson Joyce. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Alton Bledsoe and the Rev. Tony Holder officiating. Burial will follow in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery, with full Masonic rites conducted by the Round Peak Masonic Lodge #616 AF and AM. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Round Peak Masonic Lodge, 825 Old Lowgap Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for all of their help and kindness, and also a special thank you to Monroe's friends and neighbors during his final days.