Johnson, Jesse Ray
Jesse Ray Johnson, 77 of Staffordsville, VA went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at his home. Jesse was born on August 19, 1939 in Hot Springs and was a son of the late Marvin Ewing Johnson and Lena Cauley Johnson. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Margaret Ann Johnson Cooper, one brother, William Marvin Johnson and one sister, Cuva Ann Wiseman. Jesse, attended Valley High School in Hot Springs, met his wife Dorothy while she was teaching in Bath Co. and then moved to Giles Co. to start a family. Jesse was a longtime Pearisburg Town Officer and he coached in the local youth leagues. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg, was a youth counselor for many years in the UMYF. He was an exceptional golfer, he loved his family and friends, never met a stranger and loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Alice Whittaker Johnson of Staffordsville, one son, Jesse Christopher (Chris) and Teena Johnson of Staffordsville, three grandchildren, Michael Jason DeBusk, Robert Brandon Cooper, Christeena Lynnsey Johnson, one great grandchild, Nicholas Alexander DeBusk, two sisters, Charlotte J. Linkous of Blacksburg and Shirley of Hawaii. Funeral services will be held, Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 2pm at the Givens Funeral Chapel in Pearisburg with the Rev. Dr. Fred L. Austin and Charles Henderson officiating with burial following in the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Givens Funeral Home one hour before the service from 1 – 2pm. Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com.
August 14, 2017 @ 10:53 am
Jesse and Dorothy were patients of mine throughout my practice years. Jesse was a real character in a very good way. I remember him playing Santa to the kids on the pediatric floor at BRMC and the long white beard was real!! Jesse was always friendly and joked with the office staff even when he had serious healt issues. I loved him dearly and am grateful that I knew him for so many years. God bless Dorthy and family.