Franklin "Frankie" Ray Johnson, Sr.

Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”   John 5:8

Frankie ran into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Saturday, June 10 at the age of 77 without need of oxygen, crutches, leg braces, a cane, or a wheelchair.  His friends and family knew him for his gregarious personality, quick wit, and legendary storytelling ability.  A bout with polio as a baby left him with a lifelong limp, but helped forge self-determination, an ethic of hard work done with excellence, and a take charge personality.  This allowed him to excel not only at work, but also in do-it-yourself repairs at home and for family and friends.  His wife, kids, and grandkids knew him as a husband, father, and grandfather who loved them unconditionally and would do anything to support and protect them.  An avid hunter and tournament fisherman, he spent time with his kids fishing, hunting, coaching their teams, and teaching Sunday school. He also took his nephews and neighborhood kids on hunting and fishing trips. He was everyone’s favorite “cool” dad and uncle. Frankie worked for the East Baton Rouge School Board for 23 years, where he finished his time there as a maintenance general supervisor.  When God created Frankie, he broke the mold.

Frankie is survived by his loving, loyal, and attentive wife of 57 years, Hazel Mayfield Johnson; his son, Dr. Franklin Johnson, Jr. and wife Rhonda; his daughter, Ami Johnson Barden and husband Clay; his grandchildren, Owen Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, Kayla Johnson Humphreys and husband Chance, Sarah Johnson Betz and husband Blake, Jacob Johnson, Richard Barden and wife Victoria, Michael Barden; and his great-grandson, Liam Humphreys. He is also survived by siblings, Darline Johnson Lee and husband Ken, Andrew Johnson and wife Paula, and Kathleen Johnson Hudson and husband Mikel, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James Walter Johnson and Manuella Roubique Johnson; his in-laws, Edward Mayfield and Myrdith Stephens Mayfield; and his son, Joey James Edward Johnson.

A visitation will be held at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 9:30-11:30AM, with the funeral service beginning at 11:30AM. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.  Pallbearers will be grandsons Richard Barden, Michael Barden, Jacob Johnson, Owen Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, Chance Humphreys, Blake Betz, and nephew Roland Spano, Jr.

The family would like to thank Clarity Hospice for their exceptional care. Special thanks to Kathleen, LaShonda, Geary, and Jessica.

In lieu of flowers please make donations honoring Frankie to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=lttr