Obituary

James Arthur Johnson, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend peacefully departed this earthly life on November 16, 2025, surrounded by his adoring family.

James was born in Statesboro, Georgia on June 17, 1946, to the late Jackson Johnson and Lucille Long Johnson.
At an early age, he gave his life to Christ at Springhead United Methodist Church in Sylvania, Georgia.

James graduated from Williams James High School in Statesboro GA and furthered his education by receiving a certification in Automotive Paint and Body Collision repair from Augusta Area Vocational-Technical School.
James eventually worked as a teacher at Augusta Area Vocational-Technical School and taught automotive paint and body. He later worked at Fenders Paint and Body and retired as owner/operator of New Image Paint and Body Repair Shop. His retirement followed heart failure and several orthopedic surgeries. James was a strong fighter and he pushed through all of his health setbacks.

James was originally a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, but later he joined Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church. He was a faithful member of Belle Terrace and was active in the Men’s Group.

If you knew James, then you knew he loved to cook. He was the best fish fryer and loved to accompany his fried fish with hot grits or hot homemade French Fries requested by friends and family. He often showed off his cooking talents by being selected to prepare a dish at the Augusta Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction annual “Distinguished Men Who Cook Fundraiser.”
In addition, James loved to dance and was often requested to do the “James Brown Split” at parties. James also loved listening to gospel music, especially his favorite group the Swanee Quintet.
Moreover, James loved working and gardening his yard. He was also a world traveler and traveled extensively both in the United States and abroad. A few of the international cities he visited have been Oslo, Norway,
St. Petersburg, Russia, London, England, Paris, France and Milan, Italy.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his brother, Alonzo Johnson, Boston Massachusetts, and his sister Annie Lue Moore, Augusta, Georgia.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 56 years, Frankie L. Johnson, daughter Demetria (Mimi) Johnson; grandson, Austin J. Harris; brothers Lee Johnson, Carl Johnson, and Larry Johnson all of Statesboro, GA., Roosevelt Johnson (Mae) of Griffin, GA; brothers in-law, Larry Lewis (Regina), Savannah, GA, Billy R. Lewis, Statesboro, GA; three sisters-in-law, Marvelyn L. D. Gibson and Dora Jolley both of Atlanta, GA, Mentoria Sherfield of San Antonio, Texas, two special helpful friends of the family, Virgil Johnson and James Harris III and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Public viewing, Friday, November 21, 2025, from 2 pm to 6 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am, Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Belle Terrance Presbyterian Church, 2473 Golden Camp Road. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2700 Deans Bridge Road.
Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home, 3618 Peach Orchard Road. (706) 790-8858