Obituary for James Eserree Johnson
James Eserree Johnson Sr. was born on April 26, 1926, to the late Victor and Min-
nie Johnson. James was the 3rd of 10 children. His siblings: Minnie Ruth Johnson,
Clorine Nobles, Mamie Jones, Ora Lee Robinson, Alouis Hudson, J.C. Johnson, Char-
lie Johnson, and Victor Johnson Jr. preceded him in death.
James was a long-time resident of Clarksdale, MS. and a active member of the Bell
Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Terrell.
He loved the Lord and served as the church bus driver. He was an avid daily reader
of the bible. He loved the word of God and often quoted scriptures from the book of
Ecclesiastes.
James married Louella Jones in 1951 and later moved the family to Clarksdale Mis-
sissippi to create a better life for them. They were married 49 years at the time of
Louella’s death. Their children: Betty Jean Little, James E. Johnson Jr., and Johnnie
Johnson also preceded him in death.
James was a hard-working man, he was employed as a foreman for Planters Oil Man-
ufactures in Clarksdale, MS. After working 34 years for Planters Oil Manufactures,
he retired in 1991.
Due to a decline in his health, James’ daughters relocated him to Chicago, IL in No-
vember 2020 to assist in caring for him. He was very happy living with them. He
would sit for hours in their backyards and converse with all who visited about events
during his lifetime. He would talk all about the places he travelled, the work he did,
and friendships he made. He spoke of the large vegetable garden he planted and
maintained in Clarksdale, which he gladly shared with the community. Everything
was free of charge from his beloved garden. It made him happy to bless people. He
would also spend his time conversing with the guys at the “auto mechanic’s garage”
every day for many years. James enjoyed the news and was aware of current political
and world affairs. James favorite television shows were Jeopardy, Finding your Roots
and Wheel of Fortune. James was full of wisdom. He was witty and kindhearted.
James leaves to cherish his memories: His children, Joe Willie McCray (Betty), Ruby
Brown (Pastor Lee Brown), Shirley Harris (Andre) and Sandy Brown of Chicago, IL,
Toni Clark-Thompson (Obed) and James Lynn Johnson, both of Grand Rapids, MI,
Carmen Eley (Jeffery) of AZ, Ethel Twilley of Tallahassee, FL, Jaqueline Bell and
James Perryman both of Lima, OH and James Jones of Rochester, MN; one sister,
Mattie Jean Jones of Ocean, NJ; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
great-great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Musical Prelude ........................................................... Musician
Processional.................................................... Family & Minister
Prayer ............................................................ Pastor Lee Brown
Scripture - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ......................................... Minister
Selection ...............................................Sis. Lola Hudson-Ingram
Reflections ............................................................ 2 min. please
Acknowledgements and Resolutions ........... Sis. Debra Little-Hardin
Obituary ................................................ Sis. Debra Little-Hardin
Selection - "When You Hear of My Homegoing” .............. Musician
Eulogy .................................................. Bishop Larry McClinton
Final Viewing ...........................................................................
Benediction............................................ Bishop Larry McClinton
Recessional .................................................... Family & Minister
Alpine Banquet at wolf
11141 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Westchester, IL 60154
Forest Home Cemetery
863 Des Plaines Ave.
Forest Park, IL 60130
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Service: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644
nie Johnson. James was the 3rd of 10 children. His siblings: Minnie Ruth Johnson,
Clorine Nobles, Mamie Jones, Ora Lee Robinson, Alouis Hudson, J.C. Johnson, Char-
lie Johnson, and Victor Johnson Jr. preceded him in death.
James was a long-time resident of Clarksdale, MS. and a active member of the Bell
Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Terrell.
He loved the Lord and served as the church bus driver. He was an avid daily reader
of the bible. He loved the word of God and often quoted scriptures from the book of
Ecclesiastes.
James married Louella Jones in 1951 and later moved the family to Clarksdale Mis-
sissippi to create a better life for them. They were married 49 years at the time of
Louella’s death. Their children: Betty Jean Little, James E. Johnson Jr., and Johnnie
Johnson also preceded him in death.
James was a hard-working man, he was employed as a foreman for Planters Oil Man-
ufactures in Clarksdale, MS. After working 34 years for Planters Oil Manufactures,
he retired in 1991.
Due to a decline in his health, James’ daughters relocated him to Chicago, IL in No-
vember 2020 to assist in caring for him. He was very happy living with them. He
would sit for hours in their backyards and converse with all who visited about events
during his lifetime. He would talk all about the places he travelled, the work he did,
and friendships he made. He spoke of the large vegetable garden he planted and
maintained in Clarksdale, which he gladly shared with the community. Everything
was free of charge from his beloved garden. It made him happy to bless people. He
would also spend his time conversing with the guys at the “auto mechanic’s garage”
every day for many years. James enjoyed the news and was aware of current political
and world affairs. James favorite television shows were Jeopardy, Finding your Roots
and Wheel of Fortune. James was full of wisdom. He was witty and kindhearted.
James leaves to cherish his memories: His children, Joe Willie McCray (Betty), Ruby
Brown (Pastor Lee Brown), Shirley Harris (Andre) and Sandy Brown of Chicago, IL,
Toni Clark-Thompson (Obed) and James Lynn Johnson, both of Grand Rapids, MI,
Carmen Eley (Jeffery) of AZ, Ethel Twilley of Tallahassee, FL, Jaqueline Bell and
James Perryman both of Lima, OH and James Jones of Rochester, MN; one sister,
Mattie Jean Jones of Ocean, NJ; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren,
great-great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Musical Prelude ........................................................... Musician
Processional.................................................... Family & Minister
Prayer ............................................................ Pastor Lee Brown
Scripture - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ......................................... Minister
Selection ...............................................Sis. Lola Hudson-Ingram
Reflections ............................................................ 2 min. please
Acknowledgements and Resolutions ........... Sis. Debra Little-Hardin
Obituary ................................................ Sis. Debra Little-Hardin
Selection - "When You Hear of My Homegoing” .............. Musician
Eulogy .................................................. Bishop Larry McClinton
Final Viewing ...........................................................................
Benediction............................................ Bishop Larry McClinton
Recessional .................................................... Family & Minister
Alpine Banquet at wolf
11141 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Westchester, IL 60154
Forest Home Cemetery
863 Des Plaines Ave.
Forest Park, IL 60130
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Service: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644