Kenneth Lavern "Kenny" Johnson, Sr.

Kenneth “Kenny” Lavern Johnson, 67 of Phelan, California, departed this earthly life peacefully on January 8, 2022. He was born on October 20, 1954, in the Tucker Hill area of Westmoreland County Virginia.

He joined the Zion Baptist Church of Kinsale, under the leadership of Rev. Waverly E. Taylor.  He was active in the Youth Choir and Sunday School until he left the area. He later joined the Allen Chapel AME Church in Washington D.C. He was a Life Member of the NAACP.

He graduated from Washington and Lee High School in 1973. He had a great love for basketball and shared his love and talent with W&L basketball team during his years in high school.  After graduation, he joined the U. S Marine Corp Reserve where he served for several years.  When he left the Marine Corps, he moved to Washington D.C. and joined the police force.

Kenneth was one who wasn’t afraid to explore different opportunities in different areas. He journeyed to Atlanta, GA for a short time then back to D.C. After returning to D.C., he worked for several automobile dealers in the D.C. area.

Kenneth was a quiet, gentle and helpful person.  Whenever his mom needed his assistant, he was there for her with no hesitation or complaint.  The elderly ladies in the community loved him because they knew that they could call on him whenever they needed a handyman. When his brother, Brian began to lose his battle with cancer, he didn’t hesitate to move in with him and assist wherever needed. After Brian’s passing, Kenneth moved back home with his mother to be with her.  
 
One day in late September, he shared with his mother, his dream of moving to California and that he was leaving in a few days. After asking if he had lost his mind and flight info, she learned that he was planning to drive his seventeen-year-old car to California instead of flying. She really thought he had lost his mind.  A few days later, Kenneth loaded up the station wagon left for California. Then a few days later he called and told his mother that he was twenty miles from his destination. Finally, she was able to sleep that night. His moved to California, brought a joy to Kenneth that he shared with each phone call. He shared that one of the things he missed most besides his family was Mrs. Shirley Bea’s Pear Preserves.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his father, Melvin Johnson; sister, Jacquelyn Jones; brother, Brian Hall, and great nephew, Tyler Toon (Brian’s grandson).
 
He leaves to cherish his memories and left to mourn his sudden death are his son, Kenneth Johnson, Jr. of Centerville, VA; his daughter, Maiesha Howard of Georgia; grandsons, Amare, Mekai, and Kash Johnson; granddaughter, Cameron Howard; his mother, Gladys Hall Johnson; 3 brothers - Lawrence Johnson (Toni) of Rocky Mt, NC; Melvin Johnson (Shelly) of King George, VA; Marvin Johnson (Renee) of Kinsale; and a sister - Sharon Dargan (Sam) of Brandywine, MD; aunt, Elizabeth “Beck” Tate; 7 nieces; 8 nephews; the Gray Family who were considered as his siblings; Jackie (deceased),Stevie, Callie, Leslie, Bonnie, Niexie and Winnie and a host of other relatives and friends

Services of Triumph for Kenneth Johnson, Sr., son of Gladys Hall Johnson will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at 11AM in the sanctuary of the Zion Church at Lottsburg, 2309 Northumberland Highway, Lottsburg, Virginia.

Interment will follow in the Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, 1274 Zion Church Road, Kinsale, Virginia.

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