Rev. Lawrence Johnson (Courtesy)

Rev. Henry Lawrence Johnson, 89, husband of Carol Moore Johnson, of Anderson, S.C., died Monday, July 31, 2023, at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Athens, Georgia, on April 30, 1934, he was the son of the late Oliver Gilmer Johnson and the late Mattie Mae Anthony Johnson.

He was a 1952 graduate of Athens High School, where he served as the Senior Class President and graduated Valedictorian of his class. In 1955, he graduated Valedictorian from Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., and in 1957, graduated Valedictorian from the University of Georgia with a B.S. Degree in History Education. After 33 years, he retired as a Rate Specialist from the Elberton office of the Southeastern Power Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy. With the power administration, he was responsible for the purchase of Hydroelectric power for Northeast Georgia.

At the age of sixteen, he was licensed to preach and was ordained by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, on July 26, 1954, at age 20. He studied at Holmes Bible College, and during his career with the power administration, served as pastor of Friendship Pentecostal Holiness Church, Bogart, Ga., Elberton P.H Church, Hartwell P.H. Church, Calhoun Falls P.H. Church, and ultimately retired from South Greenwood P.H. Church in Greenwood, S.C. He also served in various leadership positions within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church Conference in the states of Georgia and South Carolina. He retired to Anderson, South Carolina, and became a member of Taylor Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church, where he was honored by his pastor and church, by preaching his last public sermon, on his 89th birthday-April 30, 2023.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol Moore Johnson, daughter, Marsha J. Tafoya (Hector), son, Brent Johnson (Leigh), grandchildren; Amber Solis, Autumn Jenkins (Michael), Ashlan Thibodeaux (Jonathan), Apryl Gleason (Scott), Dylan Tafoya, Victoria Tafoya, Josh Holland (Lia), Nick Holland, and Elin Johnson, as well as 10 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Burnette (Austin), and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Colbert Cemetery in Colbert, Ga. Pastor Brent Lollis will officiate.

Also, a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Taylor Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church, 711 Glenn St., Anderson, S.C. 29625. Dr. Brent Lollis will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the church, prior to the service on Monday, from 1:00pm – 2:00pm.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.standardfuneralcenter.com 

THE STANDARD CREMATION & FUNERAL CENTER, ANDERSON, S.C.

Announcement courtesy of Coile and Hall Funeral Directors.