Wallice Wilburn Johnson

Wallice Wilburn Johnson of Clinton, MS(formerly of Jackson) died Friday, January 8, 2016 at the age of 90 at his home.  He was born on September 28, 1925 in Titus County, Texas.  After graduation from Winfield, TX High School in 1943, he answered the call to duty in World War II.  He served in the United States Navy from 1943-10946.  Much of that time he served on the USS Castle Rock in the South Pacific.  

On May 11, 1947, he married Helen Marie Neyman in Longview, TX.  In their early years of marriage, they lived in Mineola, TX, where he worked in a grocery store as a butcher.  In 1951, he took a job with United Gas Pipeline Company in Mineola, TX and in 1955 transferred to Carthage, TX. He was a member of the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department from 1959-1966, serving as chaplain.  He was transferred with the company to Houston, TX in 1981.  He retired in 1986 after 35 years of service.  After his retirement, they moved to Jackson to be near their two daughters.  

He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Carthage, TX, where he was ordained as a deacon on January 26, 1966.  Before being transferred with his job, he was a member of Spring Baptist Church in Houston, TX.  After moving to Mississippi he became a member of McDowell Road Baptist Church and then Hillcrest Baptist Church in Byram where he was ordained as an elder in 2003.  

After retirement he went on several mission trips to Brazil and other South American countries.  For many years, he enjoyed bee keeping and sharing vegatables from his garden with family and friends.  He was a Black Stallion Literacy Foundation volunteer during the time that his daughter Karen served on the Black Stallion Board of Directors.  He was a member of the quilt ministry at Hillcrest Baptist Church making over 200 quilt tops.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, T.C. Jr. and Leon.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 68 years, Helen Newman Johnson; his daughters, Judy McCollum (Michael) of Clinton, Karen McCord (John) of Madison, and his cousin, Berry Joe Kidwell of Lufkin, TX.  He aslo leaves "the son that he never had" and his brother in Christ, Terry Sheffield of Richland, MS.

His services were held Monday, January 11, 2016 at 11:00 am, with a visitation held an hour before service began.  Rev Chris Goolsby and Dr. John Taylor officiated the Celebration of Life service held at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Interment followed the service at Lakewood South Cemetery in Jackson, MS.