Cecil Johnson

Mr. Cecil Warren Johnson, 89, of Dalton, passed away Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at his residence.
Cecil was born November 4, 1920 to Grace Olivia and R.O. Johnson in Oilton, Oklahoma. The family moved to East Texas where Cecil finished high school at Carlisle. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University in Commerce. While he was a pastor at Gresham Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1949.
While at the seminary, he met and married Dot (Lillian) Taylor from LaGrange, Georgia. They were both appointed by the Foreign Mission Board and served in Mexico at the Mexican Baptist Seminary in Torreon, Coahuila. While in Mexico, they had two daughters, Susan and Jeanne, and adopted a thirteen year old son, Efrain (Bain).
Coming back to the United States, Cecil was a pastor of Troup Baptist Church in Troup, Texas. He was invited to begin Green Acres Baptist Church as a mission of First Baptist Church, Tyler. After seven years, Georgia became home to the Johnson family. He had a wonderful church family at First Baptist, Chatsworth for five years. The family then moved to Cedartown, Georgia where Cecil was pastor for sixteen and a half years. While there, he served on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention and also wrote the Sunday School lessons for the Christian Index.
Cecil was called to pastor Jekyll Island Baptist Church as a part of the First Baptist Church, Brunswick in 1983. Besides his chapel ministry, he also enjoyed working with the seniors at First Baptist, Brunswick. After six years, Cecil and Dot retired to Dalton, Georgia, to be near their children. They joined First Baptist Church in Dalton, where Cecil became the teacher of a Mens’ Sunday School Class. This became the joy of each week as he developed fantastic friendships and Bible teaching and ministries. Cecil also began substituting in the public school system in Dalton, due to his bilingual talents and his willingness to serve as well as allowing him to continue his lifelong love of learning and teaching.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bain; brothers Robert and Darrel; and one sister, Eithel Hibbs.
He is survived by his wife Dot; his daughters, Susan Taylor (and husband, Lewis) of Ringgold, Georgia, and Jeanne Varnell of Savannah, Georgia; sisters Wilda Wadle (and husband, Johnny) of Odessa, Texas, and Wilma Shepherd of Katy, Texas; sister-in-law Margie Johnson of New London, Texas; and daughter-in-law Vicki Hardwick of Cleveland, Tennessee. Grandchildren, so, so loved: Ryan Hancock, Lauren Henson, Andrea and Alicia Taylor, Nikki (nee’Varnell) and Steven Gibeault, Matt and Kassie Varnell, Katie Varnell, Helen and Ray Ledford, and David Guillen, as well as great grandchildren, Julianna Henson and Scott Ledford. He is also survived by many other loved nieces and nephews and all of his church families. In addition, The “Cecil Johnson Sunday School Class” of the First Baptist Church, Dalton are not only honorary pallbearers, but we consider them part of our family. Our entire First Baptist Church family is sincerely acknowledged and honored by Cecil’s family for their love and support.
Cecil was blessed to have so many experiences that enriched his life and that he used in his life’s mission of sharing and teaching. He has impacted and been impacted by so many people in his life’s journey. He endeared himself to many with his love and humor and will be missed dearly.
Funeral services will be Friday at 3 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Dalton with the Rev. Phillip Cannon and Dr. Bill Ireland officiating.
Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends in Atrium of the First Baptist Church on Friday from 1 to 3 P.M.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Dalton, P.O. Box 827, Dalton, Ga. 30722-0827.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.