Obituaries

James Edward Johnson, 78, passed away on May 20, 2026. Funeral service will be 11 am Saturday, May 30, 2026 at New Zion Baptist Church, 1501 Louis Coleman Jr. Drive with interment in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Friday, also at the church.

James was born on June 24, 1947, to the late Monroe and Renza Johnson in Louisville, KY. He was the fifth of nine children born to that union. At an early age, he accepted Christ and was baptized at Von Spiegel Missionary Baptist Church. He later attended New Zion Baptist Church and then moved with his family to Pure in Heart Baptist Church founded by his father.

James was educated in the Jefferson County Public School System and attended Central High School. Early in his life, he was employed at General Electric Appliance Park, before he found his love for driving. He began a long career as a truck driver and ultimately retired from Active Transportation Trucking Company. Truck driving was more than just a job to James; it was a reflection of his hardworking spirit and unwavering commitment to providing for his family. Through every mile he traveled and every challenge faced, he carried with him a strong sense of responsibility, pride, and love for those waiting for him at home.

James had a very loving and outgoing spirit, devoted to his children and family. He was a long-time, dedicated member of the Yearlings Club and an avid fan of Pittsburgh Steelers football and University of Louisville basketball. James also had a great love for music and was a well-known disc jockey along with his younger brother, Thomas Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his baby boy, James Johnson, Jr., brother, James Monroe Johnson, sisters, Ann Osbourne and Christine Gregory. Left to cherish his memory are his loving family, Rosetta Johnson; children Lyndell Johnson (Gina), Stephan Johnson (Tracey), Janneé Johnson (LaVont’e), all of Louisville, KY, and Jamar Johnson (Jasmine) of Atlanta, GA; seven grandchildren Tiya Johnson, Terris Johnson, Cortlin Johnson, Zavier Swanson, Maxwell Johnson, Enzo Swanson, and Jamar Johnson, Jr.; a great-granddaughter, Jariya Norton; five siblings Rosie Wright (John), Liz Anderson, Shirley Oldham, Joyce Metlock, Thomas Johnson (Betty); a brother-in-law, Eddie Gregory, and a host of other family and friends.