Thomas "Tj" James Johnson

Thomas James Johnson was born on November 7, 1946 in Williamsburg County, South Carolina to the late Walter and Martha Johnson. Sadly, his father died when Thomas, (who was affectionately known as TJ), was 8 years old and his mother died when he was 15 years old. Thankfully, his mother’s sister, Daisy, and her husband, George McCray, took him in along with most of his siblings to live with them. He attended Battery Park Elementary and High School. He had to forego the rest of his education in order to work to support his siblings. This was the beginning of a long life of service to others. At the age of 19, he wanted to pursue career opportunities and joined Job Corp. Within 2 years he joined Peace Corp and travelled throughout the United States, even learning to speak Spanish along the way. In 1968 his job landed him on the sunny island of Jamaica. There he lived in a boarding house in the capital city, Kingston. He was wholeheartedly smitten by the looks and poise of his eventual bride June Johnson. Thomas loved Jamaica so much so, that anyone could attest that his patois, curry goat and escovitch fish was so authentic he could convince any anyone that he came from yaad (which means that he was a bona fide Jamaican). Not only could he speak patois (Jamaican dialect) but could read it too! He kept up with Jamaican politics by reading the Jamaican Star and Gleaner weekly for decades. On July 8th, 1970 he married June and soon after settled in Jersey City, NJ. He started his career as a machine operator at Owens Illinois where he worked until the company closed. Soon afterwards he got his CDL license and began an extensive career as a truck driver for a printing company. Thomas was the original GPS or Rand McNally. He could tell you how to navigate the numerous streets and highways of New Jersey and New York with ease. Although TJ grew up Baptist he was so touched by the fellowship and love of his wife’s church (Beth-El Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jersey City, NJ) he rededicated his life to Christ and became a baptized member in 1989. He moved up the ranks by serving as a deacon and eventually became an ordained elder. Although he had three biological children, he was a “surrogate” father and uncle to many children at his church that became extended family. In 2004 his mother Daisy’s illness quickly progressed and he and his family relocated to Florence, SC, in August of that same year. Sadly, she died one month later. He became a school bus driver for the public school system (Florence School District 1) until he was no longer able to drive due to his illness. When he moved to South Carolina in 2004 the Johnsons became faithful members of Florence First Seventh-day Adventist Church where he served religiously as a deacon until he was not physically able. TJ was known for his love of football, skill of cooking Jamaican and southern cuisine, contagious laugh, dedication to his church and the love of his family. His swagger didn’t come from the fact that he was classy dresser in his early years, but that he was everyone’s favorite uncle, brother, and friend. Everyone that knew him would avoid calling at 6:30 pm as this was a special time for watching the evening news while eating rice and peas topped with Frank’s hot sauce. Thomas is preceded in death by his fathers, Walter Johnson and George McCray and mothers, Martha Johnson and Daisy McCray; brother, Donald McCray, sister, Rose Williams; brothers-in law, Wilson Cooper and Alphonso Williams. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 53 years, Cynthia “June”; three children, Crystal Narcisse, MD (Troy) of Louisville, KY, Thomas Johnson (Tiffanee) of Union, NJ, and Christina Johnson; five grandchildren, Keith, Ailis, Troy J. (also known as TJ), Alani, and Julia; siblings, Zander (Salema) of Durham, NC, Sara Ann Johnson Cooper of Effingham, George McCray Jr of Florida, Walter Johnson (Clara) of Ocala, Fl, Sarah Mae Williams of Timmonsville, SC, Blanchie James (Kenneth) of Effingham, SC, Sheila Hemingway of Kingstree, SC, Gloria McCray, of Charlotte, NC, and Syville Goodson of Florence, SC; sisters-in-law, Hazel Brooks McCray, Anna Mae Archer, and Dian Austin; brothers-in-law, Fredrick Morgan and Oneil Archer. Special mention is sister-in-love, Earlene Mitchum and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.