Raleigh U. Johnson

TOWSON, Md. ­­– Raleigh Ulysses Johnson, widower of Ruby Lee Cousar Johnson, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, at the Gilcrest Hospice in Towson.

Born Jan. 31, 1928, in Turbeville, he was a son of the late Alexander Coultria Johnson and Pearlie Davis Johnson. He received his education in the public schools of Florence County. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1949. He accepted Christ and joined Jordan Chapel Freewill Baptist and served faithfully.

He is survived by two daughters, Vonzell Varnedoe of Midway, Ga., and Renee McDowell of Lake City; one son, Michael Johnson of Greensboro, N.C.; three sisters, Dorothy Johnson of Reistertown, Md., Evelyn Anderson of Randallstown, Md., and Celestine Kennedy of Nashville, Tenn.; two brothers, Grady (Minnie) Johnson of Turbeville and Andrew Johnson of Lake City; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, one granddaughter and two sisters.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Jordan Chapel Freewill Baptist in North Olanta, with Elder Kenneth Gibson, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Carnell Hampton, Elder Ronnie L. McFadden and Elder Calvin Burgess.

Burial was in the churchyard cemetery.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.