Obituary for Michael Johnson
On Sunday March 24th, 2019 just one day after his 62nd birthday, the life’s voyage for Michael Johnson came to an end. Michael Johnson was born on March 23rd, 1957 in Summerton, South Carolina to the late Henry Solomon and Bertha Brailsford Hart. Soon after birth, God sent the late Jackie and Ruth Johnson the blessing of raising Michael.
Shortly after graduating from Scott’s Branch High School in 1975, Michael ventured up north to escape the limitations in the South for a fresh start. He had no idea what God had in store for him once his feet touched the ground in Inwood, New York. The first person he met was none other than the craziest woman he would ever come across in his life; Glenda Faye Dampier! As the story was never told the same from the two of them about who “stalked” who, the only thing their story confirmed is that both of them were crazy (him) and crazier (her) together and that from their union one child, Monchell, was born. It is from the birth of his first child Monchell that Michael would come to be known by his signature lottery number, 649; the time of Monchell’s birth. Michael worshipped that number until the very end.
Due to Michael’s tall height and strong slender frame, he was able to adapt without issue to various work environments. Early on he worked for the garment factory Gay Togs and Studley Paper Company. Years down the line he worked at Woodmere Lanes as the head bowling mechanic and then transitioned into landscaping until his stroke in 2011.
Growing up in the South and helping his father with sharecropping work, Michael was in excellent shape during his young adult life. This build allowed him to be apart of two Baseball teams; The Rockaway A’s and 16 Brothers. Outside of Baseball he also enjoyed playing basketball and pool. Then one day Michael picked up a bowling ball and the rest is truly history. If you did not know anything else about Michael Johnson, one thing was certain, that man lived and breathed for Bowling. He was always telling Monchell, “if anyone ever wants to steal the car from you – let them have it, BUT tell them you need to get your father’s bowling balls out of the trunk first!” Michael was always the lead bowler of various boiling teams such as the Rockaway Community and Suburban mixed. Michael has earned a countless number of trophies, plaques and rings for his impeccable bowling and he has more than two dozen “300s” (perfect bowling score) to his credit.
Besides bowling Michael had another “love” that he lived for and that was eating! As a true “country” boy, Michael loved to eat eat eat! Whether it was his favorite “Godfather” sandwich from Tamburino’s, smothered pork chops or his sister’s coconut custard pies; he would eat as long as he could breathe. But nothing soothed his belly more than scratch cornbread and milk and PEAS. Michael Johnson was a peas fanatic! If he could eat peas all day every day he would! He spent many a day “fussing” with his Faison (Glenda) as he nicknamed her because he wanted her to cook him peas every single day! Those two were genuinely Bonnie and Clyde!
Michael had a boisterous laugh and adored all things comedy due his love for his favorite comedians Redd Foxx and Bernie Mac. He sometimes had a short-fuse but would help anyone in need if he could. He loved his old model cars and watching the shows The Haves and the Have Nots, Empire and Cheaters.
Michael is preceded in death by his fathers Henry and Jackie, mothers Bertha and Ruth, sister Barbara, brothers Ronald and Carl and Evonne Anderson (Mother to his son Davonne).
Michael leaves to cherish his memories daughter Monchell, sons Davonne and Demetrious, Glenda, daughter Latisha, brothers Charlie Hart, Jesse (Audrey) Doughty and Carnell Bennett, sisters Regenia (Romeo) Mack and Gloria Hart, Fathers side: 8 sisters and 16 brothers, grandchildren Davonne Jr., Madison, Nevayiah and Ahlani. Extended family; Gwen and Jazimin Wimms and Robin Holder. A host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Michael also leaves to mourn him, two men who were big brothers to him and guided him through every stage of his life from his teen years until his last day, Mr. Frank Ray and Mr. Ramon Hampton.
Shortly after graduating from Scott’s Branch High School in 1975, Michael ventured up north to escape the limitations in the South for a fresh start. He had no idea what God had in store for him once his feet touched the ground in Inwood, New York. The first person he met was none other than the craziest woman he would ever come across in his life; Glenda Faye Dampier! As the story was never told the same from the two of them about who “stalked” who, the only thing their story confirmed is that both of them were crazy (him) and crazier (her) together and that from their union one child, Monchell, was born. It is from the birth of his first child Monchell that Michael would come to be known by his signature lottery number, 649; the time of Monchell’s birth. Michael worshipped that number until the very end.
Due to Michael’s tall height and strong slender frame, he was able to adapt without issue to various work environments. Early on he worked for the garment factory Gay Togs and Studley Paper Company. Years down the line he worked at Woodmere Lanes as the head bowling mechanic and then transitioned into landscaping until his stroke in 2011.
Growing up in the South and helping his father with sharecropping work, Michael was in excellent shape during his young adult life. This build allowed him to be apart of two Baseball teams; The Rockaway A’s and 16 Brothers. Outside of Baseball he also enjoyed playing basketball and pool. Then one day Michael picked up a bowling ball and the rest is truly history. If you did not know anything else about Michael Johnson, one thing was certain, that man lived and breathed for Bowling. He was always telling Monchell, “if anyone ever wants to steal the car from you – let them have it, BUT tell them you need to get your father’s bowling balls out of the trunk first!” Michael was always the lead bowler of various boiling teams such as the Rockaway Community and Suburban mixed. Michael has earned a countless number of trophies, plaques and rings for his impeccable bowling and he has more than two dozen “300s” (perfect bowling score) to his credit.
Besides bowling Michael had another “love” that he lived for and that was eating! As a true “country” boy, Michael loved to eat eat eat! Whether it was his favorite “Godfather” sandwich from Tamburino’s, smothered pork chops or his sister’s coconut custard pies; he would eat as long as he could breathe. But nothing soothed his belly more than scratch cornbread and milk and PEAS. Michael Johnson was a peas fanatic! If he could eat peas all day every day he would! He spent many a day “fussing” with his Faison (Glenda) as he nicknamed her because he wanted her to cook him peas every single day! Those two were genuinely Bonnie and Clyde!
Michael had a boisterous laugh and adored all things comedy due his love for his favorite comedians Redd Foxx and Bernie Mac. He sometimes had a short-fuse but would help anyone in need if he could. He loved his old model cars and watching the shows The Haves and the Have Nots, Empire and Cheaters.
Michael is preceded in death by his fathers Henry and Jackie, mothers Bertha and Ruth, sister Barbara, brothers Ronald and Carl and Evonne Anderson (Mother to his son Davonne).
Michael leaves to cherish his memories daughter Monchell, sons Davonne and Demetrious, Glenda, daughter Latisha, brothers Charlie Hart, Jesse (Audrey) Doughty and Carnell Bennett, sisters Regenia (Romeo) Mack and Gloria Hart, Fathers side: 8 sisters and 16 brothers, grandchildren Davonne Jr., Madison, Nevayiah and Ahlani. Extended family; Gwen and Jazimin Wimms and Robin Holder. A host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Michael also leaves to mourn him, two men who were big brothers to him and guided him through every stage of his life from his teen years until his last day, Mr. Frank Ray and Mr. Ramon Hampton.