Sandhills_Sentinel

Ralph Anthony Johnson, 63, of Laurinburg, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at Unity Chapel at Cliffdale, Fayetteville. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Mr. Ralph Anthony Johnson was born June 30, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Ralph and Beverly Johnson. In accordance with the will of God, Ralph was called home on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

He received his education at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in Brooklyn, New York. Ralph further is education and later attended Kings County School of Nursing and received his certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse. He met and married Esther Blount Johnson, from that union his first son, was born. In 1982, Ralph enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. After joining the service, he met and married Audrey Johnson who preceded him in death. From that union, his second son was born. Years later he was Honorable Discharged from the United States Army.

Ralph relocated to Darlington, South Carolina with his family. After becoming a single parent, he moved to Laurinburg for spiritual guidance and support from his family. While working as an LPN he decided to return to school at Richmond Community College and become a Registered Nurse. Ralph truly loved nursing, he worked at Kingswood as Director of Nursing. He also worked at St. Joseph, Century Care, and other health care facilities in the field for twenty years.

Ralph was a loving and caring husband, father, and an awesome grandfather. Ralph joined St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Laurinburg, North Carolina where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, sung on the male choir and drove the church van. He was a true avid and pillar of the community. The year of 2005, he captured the eye of a young lady named Annie Russel. In 2006, Ralph and Annie were united in Holy Matrimony, he became a father figure to her three loving children.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elder Beverly C. Johnson Dillard McDonald; father, Ralph Johnson; dads, Morris L. Dillard Sr., and James L. McDonald; brother, Jonathon Johnson.

Ralph leaves to embrace his legacy his loving wife, Annie M. Russel Johnson of the home; sons, Jamal Anthony Johnson of Brooklyn, NY, and Jawann Anthony (Makeba) Johnson of Laurinburg, NC; stepchildren, James Morrison, John Kelly, and Zonia Kelly all of Fayetteville, NC; two special grandchildren, Khamar Kelly, and Nevaha Morrison; brothers, Lionle (Jeanelle) Johnson of San Antonio, TX, and Morris (Sherry) Dillard of Creed Moore, NC; sisters, Lemetrice (Ken) Green of Queens, NY, Raylla (Clark) Murray of Statesville, NC, Justine (Rev. Dennis) Hilliard of Charlotte, NC, Rumel (Rev. Michael) Johnson of Chesapeake, VA, and Erika D. Dillard of Virginia Beach, VA; uncles, Herbert L. (Rev. Dorothy) Fentress of Queens, NY, and Irving Fentress of Brooklyn, NY; and a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, other relatives and friends.

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