The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • B7

Filename: B7-METRO-AJCD0122-AJCD DateTime created: Jan 21 2013 Username: SPEEDDRIVER02 Magenta Black 7B AJCD Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013 METRO 7B TUESDAY, JAN. 22, 2013 THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION CREDIBLE. COMPELLING. COMPLETE. B7 JONES, Geraldine Obituaries MICHAEL WINNER, 77 'Death Wish' director known for thrillers SCHAEFER, Norman Norman "John" Schaefer, age 93 of Snellville, GA passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013.

The family will receive friends 2-4 6-8 PM, Friday, January 25, 2013. A funeral service will be held 11 AM January 26, 2013 in the Snellville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home, burial at Pin-eridge Memorial Park, Kennesaw. Mr. Schaefer was formerly of NY, he retired to GA in 1988. He is survived by his Children: Henry Mary Maschino, Stone Mountain, GA; Robert Maschino, Nissequoque, NY; Margaret Henry Lauer, Amelia, VA; Richard "Butch" Meyer, Snellville, GA; Joan Tom Kan-nengieser, Braselton, GA; 16 Grandchildren; Several Great Great-Great Grandchildren.

Arrangements made by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 2246 Wisteria Drive, Snellville, Georgia 30078. 770-979-5010. Please sign the online guest book at www. stewartfh.com. Tim Stewart Funeral Home Express condolences at ajc.comobits SMITH, Hugh Mr.

Hugh Edward Smith of Hampton, GA passed away on January 19, 2013. Services entrusted to Murray Brothers Cascade Chapel 404-349-3000 www.mbfh.com. thrillers and action movies, including "The Mechanic," "Scorpio" and the violent "Death Wish" series. Winner was best known for the 1974 "Death Wish," which stars Bronson as a law-abiding citizen who turns vigilante when his wife and daughter are attacked. Winner declared it "a pleasant romp" with no moralistic intent and went on to direct two more illness.

Winner's 30 movies included three "Death Wish" films starring the late Charles Bronson. Many of his features sit at the schlockier end of the spectrum, but he also worked with Hollywood icons, including Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum and Faye Dunaway. One of his earliest films was the 1962 nudist feature "Some Like It later, he specialized in HARDEMAN, Jeanette Mrs. Jeanette Hardeman of Decatur passed January 20, 2013. Funeral to be announced by Young Funeral Home, Covington.

(770) 786-2944. Express condolences at ajc.comobits HESTER, Michael Mr. Michael Hester of Decatur, GA passed January 19, 2013. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Gregory B. Levett Sons Funeral Homes Crematory.

South Dekalb Chapel. 404-241-5656 Express condolences at ajc.comobits HITCHCOCK, Dorothea Dorothea Berens Harasymehuk Hitchcock passed away on January 9, 2013 at the age of 91. Mrs. Hitchcock was born in Rochester, New York on September 16, 1921 to Peter Josephine Berens. She graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in Rochester, New York in 1939.

She met her first husband, Steve Harasymehuk, and they were married in May 1942 and resided in Rochester until moving to Atlanta in 1979. During their 38 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling extensively across the United States. Steve passed away in 1980. Dorothea met her second husband, Judge Hitchcock in 1986 and they were married in November 1987. They both shared a love for dancing and traveling.

They were married for 16 years. Judge passed away in 2003. Throughout her life, Dorothea was also an avid collector of stamps and coins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded In death by her brother, Donald A. Berens.

She is survived by her nephew, Steve Christine Berens of Woodstock, GA; niece, Pamela Stan Poole of Grayson, GA; nephew, Mark Debbie Berens of Snellville, GA, sister-in-law, Audrey Kingston of Rochester, NY, and other relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held on January 22, 2013 at at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta. GA 30341. In-urnrnant will follow at North Atlanta Memorial Park, 5188 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, GA 30360. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to your charity of choice.

Express condolences at ajc.comobits GERALDINE KIRBY JONES Geraldine Kirby Jones, 80, of Alpharetta, GA died peacefully January 20, 2013 surrounded by family. Geraldine was born in Cumming, GA and was a graduate of Forsyth County High School. She worked at Sears Roebuck administrative offices for 35 years; and remained friends with her fellow co-workers over the years. She is survived by her son, Kenneth (Debbie) Jones of Marietta, GA; and her daughter Connie (Mike) Riley of Woodstock, GA; and four grandchildren, Kyle Jones, Cody Crews, Emily Riley, Sean Riley; and one great-grandson, Jones Crews. Always close to her were the many care-givers who were dedicated to her during the past few years.

Funeral Services will be celebrated by Rev. Danny Baker, on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Georgia Memorial Park, Marietta, GA at The visitation will be Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from and At Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Roswell, 770-645-1414, www.north-sidechapel.com Express condolences at ajc.comobits LEV, Milton Milton Lev, 86 of Dunwoody, died January 19, 2013. Mr. Lev served in the U.S.

Navy during World War II and worked most of his life as a pharmacist. He was a dedicated husband, proud father and grandfather, and will be dearly missed. Mr. Lev is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Lev; daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie and Michael Hal-breich, Bobbi and Frank Reilly; son, Ron Lev; grandchildren, Gregory Halbreich, Samantha Halbreich, Jeff Lev, Sam Lev, Andrew Steiner, Alex Schiller; and sister, Carolle Greene. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.

A memorial service will be Friday, January 25, 2013 at 10 o'clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. iiSE Arlington Chapel -r (404) 851-9900 hmparter8onflTlnigton.com Express condolences at ajc.comobits MURRAY, William Mr. William Murray of the Summer-hill Community passed Jan. 17, 2013.

Funeral announced later. Pollard Funeral Home Inc. 404-688-7073 Express condolences at ajc.comobits PRICE, Maxie Sr. Maxie 0. Price, age 77, of Snellville, Georgia, left this life on Sunday, January 20, 2013, at his St.

Augustine Beach home in Florida with his devoted wife of 56 years, Margaret Mays Price by his side. He is also survived by his four children, Julie Price Pendleton (Bruce), Sheryl Price Turkia (Jari), Maxie 0. Price, Jr. (Beth), and Scott Price (Melissa) all of GA; 13 grandchildren; Gordon Pendleton, Stephanie Pendleton, Margaret Poplin, Mary Poplin, Matthew Parnell, Jake Parnell, Abigail M. Turkia, Joseph P.

Turkia, Maxie 0. Price, III, Jameyson Price, Nicholas "Nick" Price, Cade Price, and Rhodes Price; nephewsnieces, Joseph W. Bridges, Sean White, Brandy Col ley, Susan Caldwell, and Jill Holder. Also, sister and brother-in-law, Peggy Price Colley (Bobby) of Bethlehem GA; brother sister-in-law, Julian Ross Price (Diane) of Austell, GA; Also, Mary Mays McConnell, Katherine McConnell, Patrick Decker, Candice Jones, Ann Mays Brooker, other relatives and a host of friends. Mr.

Price was predeceased by his parents, Woodford B. Price and Esther M. Price, and a sister, Gail B. Price. Maxie Price was born on September 3, 1935 in Fairfax, Alabama.

He studied at Georgia State after graduating from Roosevelt High School (1953-54). Maxie Price started and operated the family-owned Chevrolet business 30 years ago and Maxie Price Chevrolet is recognized today as one of the largest Chevrolet dealers in the country. Dedicated to customer service, with deep roots locally and throughout the rest of the country, people drive from all over the United States to purchase vehicles from the Price family and their dedicated staff members. Maxie had a wonderful personality and enjoyed making funny commercials, selling anything, cheering the Atlanta Falcons (being an original season ticket holder in the mid 1960s), and traveling around the world. He is best known for the slogans "Where's Lo-ganville?" and "Hand Me a Crying Towel" which became trademarks for the Chevrolet Store in the 1990s.

He will be greatly missed by his family, his Roosevelt classmates, and the many people that he worked side-by-side with over the years at various automotive businesses including Maxie Price Chevrolet in Loganville and Monroe, Georgia. The Service Celebrating the Life of Maxie Price will be held Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 2:00 P.M. at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel with Rev. J.

B. Reese, Jr. officiating. A private family Entombment will follow at West-view Cemetery, Atlanta, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 25th, from 5:00 P.M.

to 8:00 P.M. at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home in Snellville. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M.

Wages Funeral Service, LLC, "A Family Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200 has been entrusted with the arrangements. TOM M. Funeral srvUt'. LLC Express condolences at ajc.comobits When words are not enough Purchase a photo for your funeral notice in memoriam or cards of thanks. To place a paid obituary notice, contact your Funeral Director or the Paid Notices uepanmeniaiwraio-airi.

He also worked with Brando, Mitchum, Dunaway. By Jill Lawless Associated Press LONDON "Death Wish" director Michael Winner, a British filmmaker, restaurant critic and bon vivant, died Monday. He was 77. Winner's wife, Geral-dine, said he died at his London home after an FAMILY-PLACED DEATH NOTICES ON THE WEB: To view family-placed death notices, news obituaries and find past obituaries or death notices Visit www.ajc.comobits A COMPLETE LISTING BY FUNERAL HOME A.S. TURNER SONS CARTER, Virginia JOHNSON, Donald J.

WARREN, Margie Smith ADVANTAGE CONYERS HITCHCOCK, Dorothea BILL HEAD F. H. APPLING, Francis M. CARL M. WILLIAMS WRIGHT, William M.

CREMATION SOCIETY GA ELLIS, Harold C. DONALD TRIMBLE MORT. CREECY, Lloyd X. WISE, Joseph, Jr. DRESSLER'S JEWISH F.C.

COOPER, Rose G. B. LEVETT SONS F.H. HESTER, Michael GRINER F. H.

BOOKER, Doris H. M. PATTERSON SON LEV, Milton LESTER LACKEY SONS HARDEMAN, Darrel Mcdonald son f.h. DOWDY, James MURRAY BROTHERS SMITH, Hugh NORTHSIDE CHAPEL F.D. JONES, Geraldine POLLARD F.

H. MURRAY, William SOUTHERN CREMATIONS FUNERALS BOHLAYER, Eleanor TIM STEWART F.H. SCHAEFER, Norman TOM M. WAGES F.H. PRICE, Maxie Sr.

YOUNG F.H. HARDEMAN, Jeanette OTHER BRYANT, Mary E. APPLING, Francis M. Mr. Francis M.

Appling, age 84 of Lilburn, GA died January 20, 2013. An interment will be held at at White Chapel Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, January 23, 2013. Mr. Appling was a native of Atlanta, GA where he was a member of the Sardis Masonic Lodge 107 AM. He retired as a Bindery Foreman from National Litho in Miami, FL.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Brand Appling. Mr. Appling is survived by his daughters Lynn Harrison and Lee Ann Orr of Lilburn, GA, Cindy Grayson of Alabama, son and daughter-in-law Tim and Laura C. Appling, Dacula, GA, son Tom Appling, Lilburn, GA, and Sister-in-law Rebecca Appling, Alpharetta, GA. 15 Grandchildren and 3 Great-Grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Embracing Hospice-Snellville, 2160 Fountain Dr. Snellville, GA 30078. CbTll HEAiT VsNFUNERAL HOMES CREMATORY, Celebrating Lives and Legacies Since 1990 Express condolences at ajc.comobits BOHLAYER, Eleanor Eleanor Bohlayer, age 100, of Dun-woody, passed January 19, 2013. She is survived by her loving and devoted son, John T. Bohlayer, her beloved grandchildren, Dawn Bohlayer, Danny Bohlayer and wife.

Kim and Great-granddaughters, Ashley and Meaghan Bohlayer. Eleanor will also be missed by her sister Grace McKinney, and nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Southern Cremations and Funerals at Cheatham Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 1861 Dallas Hwy, Marietta GA. 30064 770-919-7100. Rev.

Claude Smith-mire officiating. Family and friends will visit prior to service from 9:30 AM Internment to follow at Green Lawn Cemetery, 950 Mansell Rd, Roswell GA 30076. Donations in her honor will be accepted to The Salvation Army P.O. Box 418558 Boston, Mass. 02241 www.salvationarmyusa.org Express condolences at ajc.comobits BOOKER, Doris Doris Booker, 82, of Forest Park passed Sat, 1192013.

Griner-Ellison Funeral Home, 770-460-5566. Express condolences at ajc.comobits Shaieyouimemoiies View the AJC's complete list of obituaries, and sign a guest book at ajcxomobits. To place a paid obituary notice, contact your Funeral Director or the Paid Notices Department at 404-526-5271, MURRAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME Express condolences at ajc.comobits WARREN, Margie Smith Margie went to be with the Lord January 19, 2013. She was born November 26, 1921, the daughter of George Smith, the founder of Smith's Grocery Store in Avondale Estates. She is survived by her son James E.

Warren, daughter Deborah E. Warren, two grandsons, two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Wick Warren. She was a resident of Magnolias Assisted Living Home in Conyers, Georgia. Visitation will be held on January 22, 2013 from 5-7 pm at A.

S. Turner Funeral Home in Decatur, Georgia. The funeral service will be on January 23, 2013 at 11 am at A.S. Turner Funeral Home. Interment will be at Melwood Cemetery on E.

Ponce de Leon Road, Stone Mountain, Georgia. Express condolences at ajc.comobits WISE, Joseph, Jr. JOSEPH "JOE" WISE, JR. Funeral Services for Mr. Joseph "Joe" Wise, of Atlanta, Georgia will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 12:00 NOON at Big Bethel A.

M. E. Church, 220 Auburn Avenue, N. Atlanta, with remains placed instate at 10:00 A. Reverend Dr.

Gregory Eason, Senior Pastor. Interment Lincoln Cemetery, Atlanta. The family will receive friends in our chapel this evening from 6:00 P. M. until 7:00 P.

M. He is survived by wife, Jean Wise; children, son, Mr. Joseph L. Wise; daughter, Mr. and Mrs.

Kobi (Sharnell) Reynolds; grandchildren, Courtney, Kira, and Anayah; five siblings, Robert Wise, Sam Wise, Kate Sims, Lorenzo Wise, and Mr. and Mrs. William (Elizabeth) Pealer, a host of other relatives and friends. Family and friends are asked to assemble 4675 Heather-wood Drive, S. Atlanta at 11:00 A.

M. Donald Trimble Mortuary, 1876 Second Avenue, (404) 371-0772-3. Service by Professionals Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc. 1876 Second Avenue, Decatur, Georgia 30032 (404)371-0772-3 Express condolences at ajc.comobits WRIGHT, William M. Mr.

William M. Wright of Atlanta, passed Sunday, January 20, 2013. His arrangements will be announced by Carl M. Williams Funeral 492 Larkin St, SW, 404-522-8454, www.carlmwilliams.com. Express condolences at ajc.comobits WALKER, Jerry, Jr.

April 02, 1970 -January 22, 2012 In memory of our loved one who departed this life a year ago today. Deeply missed and loved always by his mom, dad, sister, brother, grandmother, family and friends. CRESTLAWN MEMORIAL PARK Two lots side by side section 35 lot 733 spaces 1 2 $2,500, new price $2,995, Call 336-908-2703 3 s- I COOPER, Rose Rose Profis Cooper, 89, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Bernard Cooper. Rose was born in Romania on March 16, 1923.

In 1941 she fled her home when the Germans arrived. After being captured, she was put to work in a work camp in the Olgopol Ghetto. In 1948 she traveled to Cuba where she met her husband. They lived a wonderful life in Cuba until 1962 and fled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the Castro regime. She moved to Atlanta in 1965 and lived there until her death.

Survivors include son, Victor Cooper and wife Jane; daughter, Clare Cooper Habif and husband Robert; and her adoring grandchildren Kristen Cooper Lord and husband Will; David Cooper and wife Katie; Jonathan Habif, Michael Habif and Lindsey Habif. Sign on line guest book at www.edressler.com. Donations may be made to Congregation Or Ve-Shalom or The William Breman Jewish Home. A graveside service will be held TODAY, Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Hayyim Kas-sorla officiating. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.

CREECY, Lloyd X. LLOYD XAVIER CREECY Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Lloyd Xavier Creecy, of Atlanta, will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 1:00 P.M. at The Olivet Church, 877 Highway 314 North Fayetteville, GA. 30214, with remains placed in state at 11:00 A.M.

Pastor William Holmes Robinson, Pastor, Officiant. Interment, West-view Cemetery, Atlanta. Mr. Lloyd Xavier Creecy, was the first African American Principal hired in Dekalb County, post-intergration. He leaves to cherish, wife, Hattie Creecy; three children, Dwayne; Deirdre; Dwight; two stepchildren, Nathan; Reginald; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Family and friends are asked to assemble at the mortuary at 11:30 A.M., and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Embracing Hospice, 2160 Fountain Drive Snellville, GA. Donald Trimble Mortuary, 1876 Second Avenue, 404-371-0772-3. Service by Professionals Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc. 1876 Second Avenue, Decatur, Georgia 30032 (404)371-0772-3 Express condolences at ajc.comobits DOWDY, James James Clifford Dowdy, 83, of Cum-ming, GA died on January 20, 2013 at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Born in Tucker, GA he was the son of the late John and Elsie Dowdy. His beloved wife, Geneva Dowdy and brother, Robert Dowdy predeceased him. James retired from Gaylord Container Corporation. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his sons, Kenneth Dowdy of Cumming, GA, David Dowdy of Cumming, GA and Steve Dowdy of Dawsonville, GA; sisters, Bullah Carter of Buford, GA and Alice Williams of Woosley, GA; 9 much-loved grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013 in the chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Melwood Cemetery in Stone Mountain, GA. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 22 from 6:00 pm and all day on January 23 at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mcdonaldandson.com. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899 McDonald Son Funeral Home Crematory Express condolences at ajc.comobits ELLIS, Harold C.

The Memorial Services for Harold C. Ellis will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Atlanta, GA 30311 at 11:00 AM. Rev. Dr. Marvin A.

Moss, Pastor; Pastor Terrilyn Lemons, Eulogist. Express condolences at ajc.comobits HARDEMAN, Darrel Mr. Darrel Lewis Hardeman of 8143 Collier Covington, GA, passed January 21, 2013. Funeral announced later. Lester Lackey Sons Funeral Home 770-786-6177.

Express condolences at ajc.comobits i7 BRYANT, Mary E. Hair Mary E. Hair Bryant passed away on October 21, 2012. She had lived in Atlanta for the past forty-seven years. She was born in Columbus, Georgia on July 26, 1922 to Joe Rogers Hair and Julia Clotilde Lit-tlejohn.

She trained to be a nurse, earning her nursing certificate from Grady Memorial Hospital in October, 1943. She travelled the world with her husband, Elmer C. Bryant, who worked for the U.S. State Department. They lived in Chile, Libya, Iran and Korea.

Her husband and her beloved children, Gayle and Wayne Bryant, preceded her in death. Her two brothers, Zera L. Hair and Joe R. Hair, and her sister, Clotilde Shirley, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Merle Hair, and her nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and their families: Joe R.

Hair (Hortense), Zera L. Hair, Jr. (Patricia), Jack Hair (Sherry), Clotilde Hair Klein (Darrell), Rees Hair, Ruby Waffle, Lisa Wiley (Bill), Scott Hair, Joe Frank Hair (Jodie), Camilla Hudson (Chris), Patrick Hair (LeAnn), Sean Hair (Kris-ten), Heather Meissen (Brian), and Tristan Hair. We will all miss her wit, her smile, her laugh, her wonderful stories and her indomitable spirit. Private services were held at Lake Hartwell and a celebration of her life for family and friends was held at her home.

Memorial donations in her memory may be made to The National Kidney Foundation. Express condolences at ajc.comobits CARTER, Virginia I fc VIRGINIA HARKINS CARTER Virginia Harkins Carter passed away peacefully with her husband and daughters at her side on January 17, 2013 at the Park Springs Retirement Community in Stone Mountain, GA. She was born into an Army family on May 6, 1926 in El Paso, TX. Her parents were General Paul D. and Elizabeth C.

Harkins. Virginia attended numerous schools as her father moved from one military assignment to another, graduating from high school and attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. In June 1948 she married Lieutenant Leslie D. Carter, Jr. who graduated that year from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.

Their friendship initially started when they attended second grade together at Ft. Riley, KS; the association was renewed when they attended junior high school together in Virginia, and was more seriously renewed when Virginia's father was stationed at West Point where Les was a cadet. Their relationship lasted over 80 years and their marriage which lasted for 65 joyful years was blessed with three wonderful children Elizabeth Ann (Betsy), Katherine Virginia (Ginger), and Leslie, III, (Sam). Virginia had a warm and friendly personality which allowed her to make and retain friends readily. Where ever she lived, she eagerly participated in volunteer programs.

But her primary focus was always on her children whom she greatly loved and inspired as a role model. Virginia is survived by her husband, her three children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be observed at 1:30 PM on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Park Springs and a graveside service and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. timedate to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Park Springs Foundation, 500 Spring-house Circle, Stone Mountain, GA, 30087.

A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. Express condolences at ajc.comobits Choose a meaningful icon to add toyom funeral notice. To place a paid obituary notice, contact your Funeral Director or the Paid Notices Department at 404-526-5271.

6. JOHNSON, Donald J. DONALD JACKSON JOHNSON MARCH 26, 1923 JANUARY 19, 2013 Atlanta businessman Donald Jackson Johnson, 89, left this earthly home on January 19, 2013 to rejoin his wife, Thelma Scott Johnson in heaven. Don and his wife had lived in Atlanta most of their 69 years of marriage and for the past 6 years had resided at Canterbury Court on Peachtree. Don was the son of the late Rev.

Andrew Jackson Johnson and Verlin Brownlee Johnson of Snellville. He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Melinda Johnson McChesney (Don E. McChesney) and Donna Marie Johnson (Richard E. Dew all of Atlanta. Don is known as a loving devoted husband and father.

He is also survived by brother, Jim Johnson of Duluth, sisters, Ruth Smith (Leonard Smith), Penny Burton (Marvin Burton) both of Grayson, and Brenda Robbins (Maurice Robbins) of Braselton, and sister-in-law, Dixie (Peavy) Johnson of Grayson. Preceding his departure were brother, Weyman T. Johnson and sisters, Allene Johnson and Dixie Strickland. He is survived and loved by many nieces and nephews of this large family. Growing up in Snellville, he attended Snellville High School where he graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1940.

He completed two years of college at Rabun Gap Nacoochee Jr. College where he graduated in 1942. He worked at La Tourneau in Toc-coa, Georgia, where he met Thelma and married her on August 1 5, 1943. After enlisting with the Army Air Force, he served in the Philippines and the repatriation of Japan during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.

Returning to Atlanta after the war he and his wife made their home in Atlanta, where he attended Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Division of UGA. He graduated from the University of Georgia Atlanta division with his degree in accounting and business. He learned the floor covering business while working for Builders Specialties Co. Then using his skills, training, and much hard work started his own floor covering distributorship as Johnson Wholesale Floors, Inc. in May 1963.

Since then the company has grown from one location in Atlanta to four additional locations including Knoxville Birmingham, AL, Jacksonville, FL, and Orlando, FL. Today the company is known as one of the leading flooring distributors in the southeast because of the leadership, vision, and integrity of Donald J. Johnson. He has also served his industry outside of the company by serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors and the FLEX Program of Credit for Retailers. He is respected by vendors, competitors, and customers for his honesty and integrity.

His legacy lives on in the dedication of all of the company's employees today. Don J. Johnson was a faithful member of Peachtree Baptist Church for 60 years. His service to the Lord included singing in the Choir, Director of BTU, serving several terms as deacon, and serving as chairman of several church committees. In spite of his long hours working at the business, he always remained faithful to the Lord and to Peachtree Baptist Church.

Due to renovation work at Peachtree Baptist Church, the funeral service will be held 2:30 pm, Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Interment, Floral Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Peachtree Baptist Church, 2108 Briarcliff Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at A. S.

Turner Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. Express condolences at ajc.comobits 1 EE Magenta Black 7B AJCD File name: B7-METRO-AJCD0122-AJCD DateTime created: Jan 21 2013 Username: SPEEDDRIVER02.