"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13

Lester Ray Johnson, Sr., was born on December 14, 1954 in Dillon, SC. He was the son of Richard Lee Johnson and Frances Davis Johnson.

He was educated in the public schools of Dillon County and graduated from Latta High School, class of 1973. He was converted at an early age and joined St. Paul AME Church of Floydale, SC where he served faithfully until joining the military.

He met and married his high school sweetheart, Joyce McClam on November 15, 1974. They were blessed with forty-four years of marriage.

He served his country for twenty-four years in the United States Air Force. After the Air Force, Lester was employed at the SEARS warehouse in Pensacola, Fl. for fifteen years.

"Ray" as he was affectionately known was a quiet and gentle man. He was so soft-spoken that you had to listen closely to hear him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Like his father before him, he always met you with a warm smile and a friendly hello.

He was preceded in death by his brother: Herbert Johnson, two nephews: Lamont Johnson and William Christian Davis, niece: Vader Harley-McCall, mother-n-law: Elizabeth McClam Godbold, father-n-law: Robert Doughty, Sr. and brother-n-law: Willie Pittman, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories: his wife Joyce McClam Johnson of the home; two sons: Lester Ray Johnson, Jr. and Timothy Adam Johnson of the home; one daughter: Darmeshia Smith of Crestview, Fl.; two granddaughters: Iysis Plummer and Lailah Garcia of Crestview, Fl; four brothers: James (Linda) Johnson of Charlotte, NC, Willie (Yuvonne) Johnson of Elk Grove, Ca., Herb's widow (Daisy Annie Johnson) of Plum Branch, SC, Bobby (Alfreda) Johnson of Columbia, SC, Tony (Patricia) Johnson of Floydale, SC; three sisters: Annie Ruth Davis of Charleston, SC, Mary (OC) Evans of Hopkins, SC, Bessie (Edward) Foster of Columbia, SC; father-n-law: Foster Godbold, Sr. of Latta, SC; nine sister-n-law; three brothers-n-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Two special friends of thirty plus years: Joyce Geeting and James Speraw.