Herald Drew Johnson

Posted on October 9, 2024

Herald Drew Johnson was born Feb. 12, 1938, in Madison to George Washington Johnson and Flora Jerusha Hendry Johnson, the youngest of his three brothers and six sisters.

He passed away with dignity at his home of 27 years in Monticello on Sept. 22, 2024.

Herald married Gracie Yvonne Wilson on Feb. 21,1959. Together, they shared 62 years of love and marriage and had three children: Lorna, Deborah and Lloyd.

Herald and Yvonne became a pillar of their family and shared a strong dedication to their faith. Herald was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 30, 1966.

During their many years together, Herald and Yvonne spent time traveling across the country, raising a beautiful familyand enjoying a lifetime of volunteer service, teaching Bible truths and sharing its message of hope with thousands.

Equipped with a quick wit, Herald was always prepared to share a story and a smile with everyone he met. He enjoyed cooking for friends and family and was well known for his fried fish and hushpuppies. Herald cared deeply for others, supporting and advising his loved ones, and freely giving of his time, providing pastoral support to patients in local hospitals and nursing homes.

Herald was preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie, in 2011and his wife, Yvonne, in 2021.

He is survived by: his daughter, Lorna and her husband, Paul Osterbye; son, Lloyd “Bubba” and his wife, Vanessa Johnson; son-in-law, David Faircloth; grandchildren, Nicole “Nikki” and Nigel Middleton, William “Butch” and Rosangela Osterbye, Danny Osterbye, Ashley and Rajini Faircloth, Tabitha and Donnie Haywood, Meagan Faircloth and David Nobles, and Drew and Tamara Johnson; great-grandchildren, Jaylyn, Jaisa, Weston, Liam, Logan, Maggie, Johnathan and Greyson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

“Papa,” as he came to be known, was deeply loved by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Herald will be dearly missed by the many people who hold his memory close in mind and heart.

A memorial service will be held at Jefferson County School cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m.

Lunch will immediately follow.

The service will be available on Zoom (Meeting ID: 213-651-5815, Password: Johnson).

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Big Bend Hospice (Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32308).