Darby Johnson

Mr. Darby Johnson, age 89, of Cumming, GA passed away on Friday, October 4, 2013. He was the son of Dock Pullen Johnson and Claudine Williford born March 29, 1924 in Atlanta, GA. His father had a good job as Manager of Rodgers' Stores. The Depression came, and he lost his job and all his stock in the company. They moved in with Dock's brother, John A. Johnson, of Bowersville, GA where they ran a grocery store. Hard times caused the people to ask for credit, and they did not have the heart to turn them down, so they went bankrupt. The only thing they could do was to become "share croppers." So Darby learned at an early age how to plow with a mule, hoe gardens, pick cotton and help build a barn. He said his father sent him to town with a wagon of watermelons to sell for five cents each. He graduated from Royston High School in 1942 and worked for Kemper Insurance Company after high school. He often mentioned the wonderful gift boxes from them while he was in the Air Force. He joined the Army April 13, 1943 and was sent to Georgia Tech to study radio to prepare him for Signal Corps. He served two years in the European Theatre and was assigned to the United States Air Corps. He participated in the Central Europe Campaign, Germany and France. He was radio operator on C-47's and was awarded honorary wings and was honorably discharged as Corporal on March 29, 1946. After service, he worked as circulation district manager for The Atlanta Journal and salesman for Libby's Baby Foods and Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Company. He worked for Atlanta Lithograph Co. in 1950 and through the middle of 1951 and Foote and Davies 1951 until 1956. He studied and became a journeyman in lithography and worked for Lithoplates from 1956 until 1958. He started his own business, "Jolico Press." He had a slipped disc from lifting a heavy paper cutter, was hospitalized, and that ended his business. He was a member of G. C. I. U. (Graphic Communications International Union). He worked for Stein Printing Company from 1958 until 1965 then back to Foote and Davies until 1986 when he retired. After retirement, he decided to build a house on Lake Hartwell for his family's enjoyment. His great, great great grandfather, Daniel Johnson, who came from Aberdeen, Scotland was one of the founders of the town of Hartwell. After eight years on the lake, he decided to move to Cumming, GA to be near his son, Wayne and granddaughter, Addyson. He was a Mason and a member of the Panthersville Masonic Lodge. On May 2, 1947, he married Vera Elaine Overton at First Christian Church in Decatur, GA; Rev. Roy Niager was Baptist official. From this marriage, they had David Lyman Johnson and Wayne Pullen Johnson. David was born handicapped and lived to be forty-seven. After his second son was born, he attended Georgia State College evening school on the GI Bill. He was preceded in death by his son, David; his brother, Kenneth Johnson and his wife, Allene Johnson, from Grayson, GA. After his father's, Dock Johnson's, death in 1954, he decided to become a Mason. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Elaine; son, Wayne Pullen Johnson of Cumming, GA; granddaughter Addyson Elise Johnson of Charleston, SC; sister in law and brother in law, Sydney and Jim Bean of Lawrenceville, GA; nieces, Shelly DeWeese of Atlanta, GA, Sheryl Johnson Cox and husband, Terry Cox of Loganville, GA, Suzanne Johnson Dorminey and husband, David of Grayson, GA and Marcia Downey of Turlock, CA; cousins, Ben and Gwen Johnson, Delano, TN, Warren Hawkins of Acworth, GA, Gene Hawkins of Winter Park, FL, Gwen Williford and Gene Watson of Lakemont, GA, and Ray and Joan Williford of Royston, GA; and many nieces and nephews. He was a member of Buford First Baptist Church and the "Upper Room" Sunday school class. He was a good Christian husband, father and a hard worker. At one time, he worked with the RA's and taught Sunday school. He will be greatly missed. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Nancy Hart Memorial Park Cemetery, 1171 Royston Highway, Hartwell, GA 30643. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Flowers accepted or memorial donations made to First Baptist Church of Buford, Benevolent Fund, in memory of Darby Johnson.