Robert Donell Johnson, Sr.

Mr. Robert Donell Johnson, Sr., age 77 transitioned into eternal rest Monday, May 4, 2020 at UNC Hospice, Pittsboro, NC.

Obituary

I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course,

And I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

ROBERT DONELL JOHNSON, SR., the descendent of the late Deacon James H. and Mother Harriet Chesney-Johnson was born on January 17, 1943, in Chatham County, NC. He attended Lee County Public Schools. 

Robert attended the family church - New Bethel FWB Church, under the leadership of the late Elder John H. Blue, Sanford, NC.  He later transferred his membership and united with the Potter's House Church of God in Christ for seventeen years in Sanford, NC. Robert was a wonderful man with a gentle soul. He was always there to help relatives, friends, and anyone who needed a helping hand. Robert was the type of person who would do anything he could to help support those less fortunate and in need. He loved his family, especially his sister Helen J. Covington. Robert was an excellent chef he could cook, bake, or grill anything. He always fed all who were hungry. He was trustworthy, and he stayed calm, relaxed, and collective. He dressed nice and clean and loved to wear his Kangol Hat. "Big D" or "Don," as he was known by many, is a legend and will always be remembered. 

Robert was employed at Carolina By-Products/Valley Protein Processing Plant, Fayetteville, NC as a Professional Truck Driver. After Thirty-eight years of hard work and dedicated service, he retired in 2005. After his retirement, he spent every day with his twin brothers, Thurman and Herman. He would supervise them from his seat as they worked on anything that involved a motor or wheels.

Monday night, May 4, 2020, at the age of seventy seven, Robert decided to trade this world in for his heavenly home to be with his wife, his two daughters, parents, and siblings who had gone on before him. Our hearts are saddened, but we trust God in all His ways.

Our loving, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a friend are already greatly missed. 

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Burch-Johnson, his two daughters: Rosalind Johnson and Muriel Mclean, his parents, Deacon James and Mother Harriet Chesney-Johnson and 12 siblings: Melvin, Willie, Jannie, Lillie Pearl, Pamela, Paul, Jimmy, Dennis, Jessie, Bobbie, Fred, and Annie Jane.

Cherishing Robert's happy life and rich legacy are his five children: Edward Burch, and Wayne McKendall (Delois) of Sanford, NC; Leslie Maynor Johnson (His Faithful And Loving Care Giver), and Phillip S. Winston (Ronjea) of Fayetteville, NC; Robert D. Johnson, Jr., of Windsor, NC; twelve grandchildren: Tyrick Johnson whom he reared as a son, Christopher Burch and Edward Burch, Jr., of Sanford, NC; Da'Jeour Maynor, Da'Jounna McGregory, Jerry L. Winston of Fayetteville, NC; Lewis, Daniel and Michael Steward of Greensboro, NC; Natasha Barrett, Tonya and Latoya McLean of Sanford, NC; and several great-grandchildren; one sister: Deaconess Helen J. Covington of Sanford, North Carolina; three brothers: Thurman Johnson (Minister Annie), Herman Johnson (Minister Ola), and Deacon Wade L. Harrington (Reverend Patricia) all of Sanford NC; two sisters-in-law, Gennis Johnson and Sarah Douglas-Johnson of Sanford NC; two brothers-in-law, James Burch (Linda), Milton Burch (Annie) of Sanford, NC; a very special niece Dr. Joyce A. Blue whom he called "The Lawyer," the love of his life Ernestine Fortune, and a very close friend Alice Maynor both of Fayetteville, NC; and generations of nieces; nephews; cousins, co-workers, and friends.


The family will receive family and friends at 616 Spruce Street, Sanford, NC between the hours of 11:00 am and 6:00 p.m. only.

Professional Services Entrusted to: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford